Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Technology in Agriculture

The Bachelor Of Science In Technology In Agriculture is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in technology in agriculture. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Agricultural Technology, Farm Mechanization, Precision Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Automation, Sustainable Technology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Agricultural Technology, Farm Machinery, Agricultural Technology Project, Agricultural Automation, Digital Agriculture. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Precision Agriculture, Agricultural Automation, Farm Mechanization. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor Of Science In Technology In Agriculture pursue careers as Agricultural Technology Consultant, Agricultural Automation Specialist, Farm Mechanization Expert, Agricultural Engineer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 366,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,800
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 8 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Agricultural Technology
Farm Mechanization
Precision Agriculture
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Automation
Sustainable Technology

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Agricultural Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Agricultural Technology: Overview of agricultural technology, mechanization, and precision agriculture. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant...
Farm Machinery
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Farm Machinery: Farm equipment, machinery operation, and equipment maintenance. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Precision Agriculture
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Precision Agriculture: Precision farming, GPS technology, and variable rate technology. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.
Agricultural Automation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural Automation: Automated systems, robotics, and smart farming technologies. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Irrigation Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Irrigation Technology: Irrigation systems, drip irrigation, and smart irrigation technology. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Post-Harvest Technology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Post-Harvest Technology: Post-harvest handling, storage technology, and processing equipment. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Engineering
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural Engineering: Engineering principles, farm structures, and agricultural infrastructure. Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Digital Agriculture
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital Agriculture: Digital tools, farm management software, and data analytics. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.
Renewable Energy in Agriculture
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Renewable Energy in Agriculture: Solar energy, biomass energy, and renewable energy applications in agriculture. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.
Agricultural Technology Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural Technology Management: Technology adoption, technology management, and technology transfer. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Sustainable Technology
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Sustainable Technology: Sustainable technology principles, environmental impact, and green technology. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Technology Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent project on agricultural technology topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, c...

Specialisations

Precision Agriculture
Focus on precision farming, GPS technology, and variable rate technology. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Agricultural Automation
Focus on automated systems, robotics, and smart farming technologies. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Farm Mechanization
Specialization in farm equipment, machinery operation, and equipment maintenance. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

Students attend lectures, conduct laboratory work, participate in fieldwork on farms, and engage in agricultural technology projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in modernizing agriculture and improving agricultural productivity.
Growing demand for agricultural technology professionals due to agricultural modernization.
Combines engineering with agriculture for comprehensive agricultural understanding.

Against it

Agricultural technology can be technically demanding and requires continuous learning.
Technology adoption can be challenging due to cost and farmer acceptance.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses

Public180k to 366k

180k at Egerton University366k at University of Nairobi

Private120k to 179k

120k at Kenya Methodist University179k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Egerton ~180K/yr, UoN ~366K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). KeMU 120K, UEAB 178.8K/yr (ueab.ac.ke).

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agriculture, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Mathematics
C+
Physics
C+
Chemistry/Biology/Agriculture
C+
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of field skills in farm mechanization, precision agriculture, and technology implementation.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory reports throughout the semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on agricultural technology topic.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Agricultural Technology Consultant
Medium demandKsh 62,000 to Ksh 135,000
Provide consulting services on agricultural technology, precision agriculture, and farm mechanization.
Agricultural Automation Specialist
Medium demandKsh 63,000 to Ksh 138,000
Implement automated systems, manage robotics, and support smart farming.
Farm Mechanization Expert
High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Manage farm machinery, implement mechanization, and ensure equipment efficiency.
Agricultural Engineer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000
Design agricultural systems, implement technology solutions, and support agricultural modernization.
Precision Agriculture Specialist
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Implement precision farming, manage GPS technology, and optimize agricultural inputs.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in agricultural technology, farm mechanization, and precision agriculture across Kenya's agricultural sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for extension data management, project planning and rural development budgeting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for rural development research and extension impact assessment.
QGIS
Software
GIS software for agricultural mapping and extension service planning.
PowerPoint
Software
Presentation tool for farmer training and extension education sessions.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.