Certificate in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship
The Certificate in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship is a programme that equips students with foundational knowledge in agricultural business management, entrepreneurship and farm enterprise development. Offered at the University of Embu, the programme prepares students for entry-level roles in agribusiness and agricultural enterprise.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 67,189 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of D+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1 year, full-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers agribusiness principles, agricultural economics, farm management, entrepreneurship, agricultural marketing, value addition, financial management for agribusiness, agricultural value chains, business planning and enterprise development. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in agribusiness management.
The programme responds to the need for trained agribusiness professionals who can support agricultural commercialisation and enterprise development in Kenya. It provides a foundation for those seeking careers in agribusiness, farm management and agricultural entrepreneurship.
The programme is delivered through full-time mode, with lectures, practical sessions, field visits to agribusiness enterprises, case studies and enterprise development exercises. Students gain practical experience through farm visits and agribusiness projects.
Graduates pursue entry-level roles as agribusiness assistants, farm enterprise managers, agricultural marketing assistants, value chain coordinators and agricultural extension assistants in agribusiness companies, cooperatives, NGOs and government agencies. The certificate also serves as a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in agribusiness and agriculture.
Prospective students should have a KCSE mean grade of D+ with at least D+ in Biology/Biological Sciences, English/Kiswahili and Mathematics/Physics/Geography. The programme is suitable for school leavers and individuals seeking careers in agribusiness.
What you study
4 subjects- Agribusiness Principles and Agricultural Economics
- Farm Management and Entrepreneurship
- Agricultural Marketing and Value Addition
- Financial Management for Agribusiness and Business Planning
Modules
4 in the programmeAgribusiness Principles and Agricultural Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agribusiness principles, agricultural economics, supply and demand in agriculture, agricultural markets and the agricultural value chain.
Farm Management and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers farm management, farm planning, enterprise selection, entrepreneurship fundamentals, opportunity identification and small business start-up.
Agricultural Marketing and Value Addition
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers agricultural marketing, market analysis, value addition, post-harvest handling, processing and agricultural value chains.
Financial Management for Agribusiness and Business Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers financial management for agribusiness, bookkeeping, budgeting, business planning, enterprise development and agribusiness plan preparation.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on agribusiness principles or agricultural economics, followed by a practical session on farm management or entrepreneurship. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to an agribusiness enterprise, a case study on agricultural marketing, or work on an enterprise development project.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| The programme provides practical agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills for the growing agricultural sector. | The programme is offered at only one university. |
| The certificate serves as a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in agribusiness and agriculture. | Career advancement is limited without further qualifications. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 303 agriculture coursesAnnual 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
Pub: Embu 39K tuition/yr, TVET 67K/yr (embuni.ac.ke, eafinder.com). Private: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans. The University of Embu may offer internal bursaries for certificate students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
6 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE mean grade D+ with at least D+ in Biology/Biological Sciences, English/Kiswahili and Mathematics/Physics/Geography.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding University of Embu, Scott Christian University.
Including University of Embu, Scott Christian University.
Including University of Embu, Scott Christian University.
How you are assessed
2 componentsContinuous Assessment
Assignment40% of the mark
Practical assignments, case studies, field visit reports and class participation.
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations covering all modules.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Embu.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesAgribusiness Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 80,000
Supports agribusiness operations, assists with farm enterprise management, handles procurement and supports agribusiness decision-making.
Farm Enterprise Manager
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 90,000
Manages farm enterprises, oversees production, handles marketing and manages farm finances for small and medium agricultural enterprises.
Agricultural Marketing Assistant
Low demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 75,000
Supports agricultural marketing activities, assists with market research, handles produce marketing and supports value chain coordination.
Agricultural Extension Assistant
Low demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 70,000
Supports agricultural extension services, assists with farmer training, disseminates agricultural information and supports community agriculture programmes.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as agribusiness assistants, farm enterprise managers, agricultural marketing assistants and extension assistants in agribusiness companies, cooperatives and NGOs.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Aquaculture TechnologistAgriculture3Low exposure
- Climate-Resilient Seed BreederAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary Public OfficerAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary OfficerAgriculture7Low exposure
- Farm Insurance AssessorAgriculture11Low exposure
- Value Chain AnalystAgriculture12Low exposure
- Agricultural EconomistAgriculture13Low exposure
- Agroecological Farming SpecialistAgriculture13Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Agribusiness is just farming.
Agribusiness encompasses the entire agricultural value chain including input supply, production, processing, marketing, finance and enterprise management, not just farming.
A certificate in agribusiness has limited career prospects.
The certificate provides entry into the growing agribusiness sector and serves as a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in agribusiness management.