Agriculture

Diploma in Agriculture Enterprise and Project Management

The Diploma in Agriculture Enterprise and Project Management is a programme that equips students with skills in agricultural enterprise development and agricultural project management. Offered at Gretsa University through the School of Agriculture and Rural Development, the programme combines agricultural knowledge with business management and project management competencies.

The curriculum covers agricultural enterprise development, project planning and management, agricultural economics, farm business management, agricultural marketing, value chain analysis, crop production, animal production, agricultural finance, entrepreneurship, research methods, business communication, computer applications, monitoring and evaluation, and agricultural policy. Students develop both agricultural knowledge and project management skills.

Kenya's agricultural sector requires professionals who can manage agricultural projects, develop agricultural enterprises and support rural development initiatives. The programme responds to the need for skilled personnel who can plan, implement and manage agricultural projects in government, NGOs, cooperatives and private sector organisations.

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

Graduates pursue careers as agricultural project officers, enterprise development officers, farm business managers, agricultural extension officers, project coordinators and agribusiness officers in NGOs, county governments, agricultural companies, cooperatives and self-employment. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or related degree programmes.

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

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 50,000
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Evening, Weekend, Distance Learning
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Agricultural Enterprise Development
Project Planning and Management
Agricultural Economics and Farm Business Management
Agricultural Marketing and Value Chain Analysis
Crop and Animal Production
Agricultural Finance and Entrepreneurship
Monitoring and Evaluation
Research Methods and Computer Applications

Modules

8 in the programme

Agricultural Enterprise Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers enterprise development principles, opportunity identification in agriculture, business models for agricultural enterprises and enterprise planning.
Project Planning and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers project planning, project cycle management, logical framework approach, project budgeting, project implementation and project monitoring.
Agricultural Economics and Farm Business Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers agricultural economics, farm business planning, cost analysis, budgeting, agricultural finance and financial management for agricultural enterprises.
Crop and Animal Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers crop production principles, soil management, livestock production, poultry farming and integrated farming systems.
Agricultural Marketing and Value Chain Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agricultural marketing, market analysis, value chain analysis, supply chain management, post-harvest handling and agricultural trade.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers monitoring and evaluation frameworks, indicators, data collection methods, impact assessment and reporting for agricultural projects.
Research Methods and Agricultural Policy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methodology, data analysis, agricultural policy analysis, policy frameworks and their impact on agricultural development.
Industrial Attachment and Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at an agricultural project or enterprise, assessed through an attachment report and a practical project proposal.

Specialisations

Agricultural Project Management
Focuses on project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for careers in agricultural project management.
Enterprise Development
Specialises in agricultural enterprise development, business planning and entrepreneurship for careers in enterprise development.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on project planning or agricultural enterprise development, followed by a case study on agricultural project management. Afternoon sessions may include a group project developing a project proposal for an agricultural initiative, a field visit to an agricultural enterprise, or a practical session on farm business analysis. Students also work on monitoring and evaluation assignments and business plan development.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme combines agricultural knowledge with project management skills, providing versatile competencies for the agricultural development sector.
The programme is affordable at KES 25,000 per semester, with flexible study modes including full-time, evening, weekend and distance learning.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor's degree with credit transfers, reducing the time and cost of further study.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
Career opportunities specifically combining agriculture and project management may be limited, requiring graduates to compete with general project management or agriculture graduates.

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

Public67k to 67k

67k at Meru University TVET (Diploma in Agripreneurship)67k at Meru University TVET (Diploma in Agripreneurship)

Private50k to 50k

50k at GRETSA University50k at GRETSA University

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

GRETSA 50K/yr private. Meru TVET Agripreneurship ~67K/yr public (tvet.must.ac.ke).

Students can access HELB loans. Gretsa University may offer internal financial aid for qualifying 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 II or KACE with at least 1 Principal pass or Certificate in Agricultural Enterprise and Project Management or relevant discipline from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering enterprise development, project planning and agricultural economics.
Case Studies and Assignments
Project40% of the mark
Assessment of case study analyses, project proposals and practical assignments in agricultural enterprise and project management.
Project Proposal
Project50% of the mark
A comprehensive agricultural project proposal including budget, implementation plan and monitoring framework.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at an agricultural project or enterprise.

Accreditation

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

Accredited by

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

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Agricultural Project Officer
Low demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 120,000
Plans, implements and monitors agricultural projects in NGOs, government agencies and development organisations.
Enterprise Development Officer
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Supports agricultural enterprise development, provides business advisory services and manages enterprise development programmes.
Farm Business Manager
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages farm business operations, production planning, financial management and marketing for commercial farms.
Project Coordinator
Low demandKsh 36,000 to Ksh 110,000
Coordinates agricultural project activities, manages project resources and supports project implementation in organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as agricultural project officers and enterprise development officers in NGOs, county governments and agricultural companies across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme is the same as a general diploma in agriculture.
While covering agricultural production, this programme has a strong focus on enterprise development and project management, preparing graduates specifically for project management and enterprise development roles.
Agricultural project management has no career prospects.
Many NGOs, government agencies and international organisations implement agricultural projects requiring qualified project managers with agricultural knowledge.
The programme is only for people from farming backgrounds.
The programme is open to anyone with an interest in agriculture and project management, regardless of background. It combines business skills with agricultural knowledge.
You cannot progress to a degree after this diploma.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Agribusiness Management or related degree programmes with credit transfers.