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 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.
- Duration
- 1 year
- Public, up to
- Ksh 67,189
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 0 months
- Average class
- 30 students
- Award
- Certificate
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
- The programme provides practical agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills for the growing agricultural sector.
- The certificate serves as a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in agribusiness and agriculture.
Against it
- The programme is offered at only one university.
- 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
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- D+
- Alternative entry
- KCSE mean grade D+ with at least D+ in Biology/Biological Sciences, English/Kiswahili and Mathematics/Physics/Geography.
Biology
D+
English or Kiswahili
D+
Mathematics or Physics or Geography
D+
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
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Embu.
Accredited by
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 Health OfficerAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary OfficerAgriculture7Low exposure
- Farm Insurance Loss AssessorAgriculture11Low exposure
- Value Chain AnalystAgriculture12Low exposure
- Agricultural EconomistAgriculture13Low exposure
- Dairy Farm Business ConsultantAgriculture16Low 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.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Certificate in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.