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Agriculture

Diploma in Agricultural Entrepreneurship

The Diploma in Agricultural Entrepreneurship is a programme that equips students with skills to identify, develop and manage agricultural business opportunities. Offered at South Eastern Kenya University through the School of Agriculture, Environment, Water and Natural Resources, the programme combines agricultural knowledge with entrepreneurial and business management skills.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 75,000
Ksh 150,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 72,900
Ksh 145,800 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 75,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 150,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 72,900 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.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 agricultural entrepreneurship, business opportunity identification, farm business management, agricultural marketing, agricultural finance and credit, value addition and agro-processing, supply chain management, crop production, animal production, agricultural economics, innovation in agriculture, business planning, research methods, computer applications and project management. Students develop both agricultural production knowledge and enterprise development skills.

Kenya's agricultural sector offers significant entrepreneurial opportunities in value addition, agro-processing, input supply, agricultural services and market linkages. The programme responds to the need for agricultural entrepreneurs who can create jobs, add value to agricultural products and contribute to food security and rural development in semi-arid regions and across Kenya.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, field visits to agricultural enterprises, practical sessions and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in business planning, market research, farm enterprise analysis and agricultural value chain assessment through field visits and attachment at agricultural organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as agricultural entrepreneurs, agribusiness officers, farm enterprise managers, agricultural extension officers, value addition specialists, agricultural project officers and supply chain coordinators in agricultural companies, cooperatives, NGOs, county governments and self-employment. 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 create and manage agricultural enterprises. The programme is suitable for students seeking practical skills for agricultural entrepreneurship and rural development.

What you study

8 subjects
  • Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Opportunity Identification
  • Farm Business Management and Agricultural Finance
  • Agricultural Marketing and Value Addition
  • Crop and Animal Production
  • Agricultural Economics and Supply Chain Management
  • Innovation in Agriculture and Agro-processing
  • Business Planning and Research Methods
  • Computer Applications and Project Management

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fundamentals

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers entrepreneurship principles, opportunity identification in agriculture, agricultural enterprise types, innovation in agriculture and the role of entrepreneurship in agricultural development.

  • Crop and Animal Production for Entrepreneurs

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers crop production principles, drought-resistant crops, livestock production, poultry, beekeeping and production systems suitable for agribusiness enterprises.

  • Farm Business Management and Agricultural Finance

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers farm business planning, cost analysis, budgeting, record keeping, agricultural credit, microfinance and financial management for agricultural enterprises.

  • Value Addition and Agro-processing

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers value addition principles, post-harvest handling, food processing, packaging, quality standards, food safety and enterprise opportunities in agro-processing.

  • Agricultural Marketing and Supply Chain Management

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers agricultural marketing, market research, pricing strategies, distribution channels, supply chain management, market linkages and agricultural trade.

  • Business Planning and Innovation in Agriculture

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers business plan development, feasibility analysis, agricultural innovation, technology adoption, risk management and scaling agricultural enterprises.

  • Research Methods and Project Management

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers research methodology, data collection, project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for agricultural projects.

  • Industrial Attachment and Entrepreneurship Project

    Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore

    A three-month industrial attachment at an agricultural enterprise, assessed through an attachment report and a practical agricultural entrepreneurship project.

Specialisations

  • Agro-processing and Value Addition

    Focuses on food processing, packaging, quality standards and value addition enterprises for careers in agro-processing.

  • Dryland Agriculture Enterprises

    Specialises in drought-resistant crops, water-efficient farming and enterprises suited to arid and semi-arid regions.

  • Agricultural Input Supply

    Focuses on seed production, fertiliser supply, agricultural inputs and service provision businesses.

  • Agricultural Marketing and Trade

    Specialises in agricultural marketing, market linkages, commodity trade and supply chain management.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on agricultural entrepreneurship or farm business management, followed by a case study on value addition opportunities in the local agricultural sector. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to a successful agricultural enterprise, a group project developing a business plan for an agro-processing venture, or a practical session on crop production techniques suitable for semi-arid regions. Students also work on market research and financial projection assignments.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
The programme specifically focuses on entrepreneurship, equipping graduates to create their own agricultural businesses rather than seeking employment only.Agricultural enterprises face risks from weather variability, pests, market fluctuations and climate change, requiring strong risk management skills.
SEKU's location in a semi-arid region provides unique insights into drought-resistant agriculture and enterprises suited to arid and semi-arid lands.Starting an agricultural business requires patience, as returns may take time to materialise, especially in semi-arid regions with unpredictable rainfall.
The programme is affordable at KES 72,000/year, with HELB loans and SEKU's own student loan and bursary scheme available.—

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, SEKU 66K, Meru 75K/yr (mmust.ac.ke, eafinder.com). RVIBS 73K/yr (nyongesasande.com)

Students can access HELB loans and the SEKU Student Loan and Bursary Scheme for financial support.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • SEKU Student Loan and Bursary Scheme

Scholarships

2 recorded

  • HELB Loan

    LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

  • SEKU Student Loan and Bursary Scheme

    BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan

    SEKU students demonstrating financial need

Scholarships you could apply for

6 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C-minimum entry
Alternative entry

KCSE mean grade D+ with a craft certificate in agriculture or a related field from a recognised institution.

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including South Eastern Kenya University.

May 20271 institution

Including South Eastern Kenya University.

September 20271 institution

Including South Eastern Kenya University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Written examination30% of the mark

    Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering entrepreneurship fundamentals, crop and animal production and farm business 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 value addition.

  • Business Plan Project

    Project50% of the mark

    A comprehensive business plan for an agricultural enterprise, assessed through a written document and oral presentation.

  • Industrial Attachment Report

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at an agricultural enterprise or organisation.

Accreditation

  • TVET Authority

    AcademicRequired

    Accredited by the TVET Authority (TVETA). The programme is offered at SEKU's School of Agriculture, Environment, Water and Natural Resources.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • 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 service companies.

  • Agribusiness Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Supports agricultural business development, provides enterprise advisory services and manages agribusiness programmes in organisations.

  • Farm Enterprise Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Manages commercial farm operations, production planning, financial management and marketing for agricultural enterprises.

  • Value Addition Specialist

    Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000

    Develops and manages value addition processes for agricultural products, including processing, packaging and quality assurance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as agricultural entrepreneurs, agribusiness officers and farm enterprise managers in agricultural companies, cooperatives, NGOs and county governments.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Agricultural entrepreneurship is only for people from farming families.

    Agricultural entrepreneurship is open to anyone with an interest in the agricultural sector, including value addition, agro-processing, input supply, agricultural services and market linkages.

  • You need a lot of capital to start an agricultural business.

    Many agricultural enterprises can be started with minimal capital, including value addition, service provision, seed production and nursery management. The programme teaches how to start small and scale up.

  • Agriculture in semi-arid areas is not viable.

    SEKU is located in a semi-arid region and the programme specifically addresses drought-resistant crops, water-efficient farming and enterprises suited to arid and semi-arid lands.

  • A diploma in agricultural entrepreneurship is the same as general agriculture.

    While covering agricultural production, the programme has a strong focus on business skills, opportunity identification, enterprise development and value addition, preparing graduates specifically for entrepreneurial roles.

Further reading

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