Agriculture

Diploma in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship

The Diploma in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship is a programme that equips students with skills in agricultural business management, enterprise development and agricultural value chains. Offered at the University of Embu through the School of Agriculture, the programme combines agricultural knowledge with business and entrepreneurial skills for the agricultural sector.

The curriculum covers agricultural economics, agribusiness management, farm management, agricultural marketing, agricultural finance, supply chain management, entrepreneurship, business planning, agricultural value chains, crop production, animal production, agricultural extension, research methods, business communication, computer applications and project management. Students develop both agricultural knowledge and business management competencies.

Kenya's agricultural sector is the backbone of the economy, with growing demand for professionals who can combine agricultural knowledge with business skills to create and manage agricultural enterprises. The programme responds to the need for agribusiness practitioners who can identify opportunities, develop agricultural businesses and manage agricultural value chains.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, field visits to agricultural enterprises, practical sessions and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in farm business analysis, marketing planning, enterprise development and agricultural project management through field visits and attachment at agricultural organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as agribusiness officers, farm managers, agricultural entrepreneurs, agricultural marketing officers, supply chain coordinators, extension officers and project officers in agricultural companies, cooperatives, NGOs, government ministries and agricultural banks. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have an interest in agriculture and business, with a desire to contribute to agricultural development through enterprise. The programme is suitable for students seeking practical skills for agricultural business management and entrepreneurship.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 75,000
Private, up to: Ksh 72,900
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Agribusiness Management and Agricultural Economics
Farm Management and Agricultural Finance
Agricultural Marketing and Supply Chain Management
Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
Agricultural Value Chains
Crop and Animal Production
Agricultural Extension and Research Methods
Business Communication and Computer Applications

Modules

8 in the programme

Principles of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agricultural economics principles, demand and supply in agricultural markets, agribusiness concepts, agricultural systems and the role of agribusiness in economic development.
Crop and Animal Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers crop production principles, soil management, pest control, animal husbandry, livestock production systems and integrated farming approaches.
Farm Management and Agricultural Finance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers farm business management, cost analysis, budgeting, investment appraisal, agricultural credit, financing options and financial management for agricultural enterprises.
Agricultural Marketing and Supply Chain Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers agricultural marketing principles, market analysis, pricing, distribution channels, supply chain management, post-harvest handling and agricultural trade.
Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers entrepreneurship principles, opportunity identification, business plan development, feasibility analysis, risk management and small business management in agriculture.
Agricultural Value Chains and Extension
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agricultural value chain analysis, value addition, agro-processing, agricultural extension principles, technology transfer and farmer advisory services.
Research Methods and Project Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methodology, data collection and analysis, project planning, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation for agricultural projects.
Industrial Attachment and Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at an agricultural company, cooperative or NGO, assessed through an attachment report and a practical agribusiness project.

Specialisations

Agricultural Marketing and Trade
Focuses on agricultural marketing, market analysis, trade and supply chain management for careers in agricultural marketing and distribution.
Farm Enterprise Management
Specialises in farm business management, production planning and financial management for careers as farm managers.
Agricultural Entrepreneurship
Focuses on starting and managing agricultural businesses, value addition and agro-processing for careers as agricultural entrepreneurs.
Agricultural Finance and Credit
Specialises in agricultural finance, credit management and agricultural investment for careers in agricultural banks and microfinance institutions.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on agribusiness management or agricultural economics, followed by a case study discussion on farm business analysis or agricultural marketing. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to a local agricultural enterprise, a group project developing a business plan for an agribusiness venture, or a practical session on crop or animal production. Students also work on market research assignments and financial projections for agricultural enterprises.

The trade offs

In its favour

Agriculture is Kenya's largest economic sector, with diverse opportunities in agribusiness, value addition and agricultural entrepreneurship.
The programme combines agricultural knowledge with business skills, providing versatile competencies for both employment and self-employment.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management with credit transfers, reducing the time and cost of degree study.

Against it

Agricultural businesses are vulnerable to weather variability, climate change, pests and market fluctuations, requiring risk management skills.
Entry-level positions in agribusiness may have relatively low salaries, with career growth requiring experience and 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 courses

Public30k to 75k

30k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology75k at Meru University of Science and Technology TVET

Private73k to 73k

73k at Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies73k at Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies

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

MMUST 30K, UoEm 73K, Meru 75K/yr (mmust.ac.ke, eafinder.com). RVIBS 73K/yr (nyongesasande.com)

Students can access HELB loans. Some agricultural organisations offer internship opportunities for agribusiness students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
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: C-
Alternative entry: KCE Division III with at least a Credit Pass in Biology/Agriculture and any one of Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics/Geography. Mean grade D+ with a Certificate in Agriculture or related field with at least a Credit pass.

Biology or Agriculture
C-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering agribusiness principles, crop and animal production and farm management.
Case Studies and Field Reports
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of case study analyses, field visit reports to agricultural enterprises and practical exercises in farm business analysis.
Business Plan Project
Project50% of the mark
A comprehensive business plan for an agribusiness venture, assessed through a written document and oral presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at an agricultural company, cooperative or NGO.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Embu's School of Agriculture.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Embu's School of Agriculture.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Agribusiness Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages agricultural business operations, supports value chain development and provides business advisory services to farmers and agricultural enterprises.
Farm Manager
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages farm operations including production planning, resource management, staff supervision and financial management for commercial farms.
Agricultural Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 200,000
Starts and operates agricultural businesses including farming enterprises, agro-processing ventures, input supply businesses and agricultural marketing companies.
Agricultural Marketing Officer
Low demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 110,000
Develops and implements agricultural marketing strategies, manages market linkages and supports product promotion for agricultural companies and cooperatives.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as agribusiness officers, farm managers and agricultural entrepreneurs in agricultural companies, cooperatives, NGOs and government ministries across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agribusiness is just about farming.
Agribusiness encompasses the entire agricultural value chain including input supply, production, processing, marketing, distribution and retail, offering diverse career opportunities beyond farming.
There is no money in agriculture.
Agriculture is Kenya's largest economic sector, with significant opportunities in agribusiness entrepreneurship, agricultural processing, export markets and value-added products.
An agribusiness diploma only leads to farming jobs.
Graduates work in agricultural companies, cooperatives, banks, NGOs, government agencies and international organisations in roles spanning management, marketing, finance and extension.
Entrepreneurship in agriculture is too risky.
While agriculture has risks, proper business planning, market research and risk management strategies can significantly reduce risks. The programme equips students with skills to identify and mitigate agricultural business risks.