Agriculture

Diploma in Crop Protection

The Diploma in Crop Protection is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in plant health, pest management, disease control and crop protection strategies. Offered at South Eastern Kenya University and the University of Embu, the programme prepares students for careers in agricultural extension and crop protection.

The curriculum covers crop entomology, plant pathology, weed science, pest management, plant disease diagnosis, pesticide use and safety, integrated pest management, crop production, soil science, plant nutrition, crop storage, quarantine measures, biological control, plant breeding for resistance, agricultural extension, communication skills, ICT and entrepreneurship. Students develop both technical crop protection and field diagnostic skills.

Kenya's agricultural sector faces significant challenges from crop pests, diseases and weeds that reduce yields and quality. The programme responds to the need for trained professionals who can identify, manage and control crop threats to support food security and agricultural productivity.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, field practicals, farm visits, case studies and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in pest identification, disease diagnosis, pesticide application and integrated pest management through laboratory sessions and attachment at agricultural research stations, farms or extension offices.

Graduates pursue careers as crop protection officers, agricultural extension assistants, pest control technicians, plant health inspectors, agrochemical sales assistants and farm supervisors in agricultural ministries, research institutions, agrochemical companies, farms and NGOs. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have an interest in agriculture, biological sciences aptitude and fieldwork capability. The programme is suitable for students seeking practical crop protection skills for employment in the agricultural sector.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 101,500
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Crop Entomology and Pest Management
Plant Pathology and Disease Diagnosis
Weed Science and Integrated Pest Management
Pesticide Use, Safety and Application
Crop Production and Soil Science
Plant Breeding for Disease Resistance
Crop Storage and Quarantine Measures
Agricultural Extension and Entrepreneurship

Modules

8 in the programme

Crop Entomology and Pest Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers insect morphology, taxonomy, biology, crop pest identification, pest damage assessment, pest population dynamics and pest control methods.
Plant Pathology and Disease Diagnosis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers plant disease causes, fungal bacterial and viral pathogens, disease diagnosis, disease cycles, disease assessment and disease management strategies.
Weed Science and Pesticide Use
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers weed biology, weed classification, weed management, herbicide use, pesticide classification, pesticide application, pesticide safety and environmental impact.
Crop Production and Soil Science
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers crop production principles, soil science, plant nutrition, cropping systems, crop rotation, field crop management and post-harvest handling.
Integrated Pest Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers IPM principles, biological control, cultural control, host plant resistance, economic injury levels, action thresholds and IPM programme design.
Plant Breeding and Quarantine
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers plant breeding for disease resistance, quarantine regulations, plant import procedures, certification schemes and phytosanitary measures.
Agricultural Extension and Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers agricultural extension methods, communication skills, ICT, farmer training, entrepreneurship and business planning for crop protection services.
Industrial Attachment and Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at an agricultural research station, farm or extension office, assessed through an attachment report and a crop protection project.

Specialisations

Entomology
Focuses on insect pest identification, biology and control for careers in pest management.
Plant Pathology
Specialises in plant disease diagnosis, disease management and pathogen biology for careers in disease control.
Pesticide Management
Focuses on pesticide use, safety, application and regulation for careers in agrochemical industry.
Agricultural Extension
Specialises in farmer training, extension methods and communication for careers in agricultural extension.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on crop entomology or plant pathology, followed by a laboratory session identifying insect pests or diagnosing plant diseases. Afternoon sessions may include a field practical on pesticide application, a farm visit to assess pest damage, or a group exercise on integrated pest management strategies. Students also work on crop protection projects and field diagnostic exercises.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme addresses a critical need in Kenya's agricultural sector for crop pest and disease management.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with credit transfers.
The programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical field and laboratory skills.

Against it

The programme is offered at only two universities, limiting study location options.
Career opportunities are primarily within the agricultural sector, which may be limited in urban areas.

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

Public102k to 102k

102k at University of Nairobi102k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN 101.5K/yr public (eafinder.com). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans. SEKU offers bursaries 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 III with credit passes in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture or Mathematics, or KCSE C- with a relevant certificate in Crop Protection or Agriculture from a recognised institution.

Biology
C-
Chemistry
C-
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 entomology, plant pathology and crop production.
Laboratory and Field Practicals
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions including pest identification, disease diagnosis and pesticide application exercises.
Crop Protection Project
Project50% of the mark
A practical project on a crop protection topic, assessed through a report and field demonstration.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at an agricultural research station, farm or extension office.

Accreditation

TVETA accredited and KNEC examined. The programme is offered at South Eastern Kenya University and the University of Embu.

Accredited by

TVET Authority
AcademicRequired
TVETA accredited and KNEC examined. The programme is offered at SEKU and University of Embu.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Crop Protection Officer
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 100,000
Identifies and manages crop pests and diseases, conducts field inspections, advises farmers on pest control and implements crop protection programmes.
Agricultural Extension Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 90,000
Supports agricultural extension services, trains farmers on crop protection, conducts field demonstrations and disseminates agricultural information.
Pest Control Technician
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 85,000
Applies pest control measures, operates spray equipment, manages pesticide stocks, ensures safety compliance and supports pest control operations.
Agrochemical Sales Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 95,000
Sells agrochemical products, advises customers on pesticide selection and use, provides technical support and manages agrochemical stock.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as crop protection officers, agricultural extension assistants and pest control technicians in agricultural ministries, research institutions and agrochemical companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Crop protection is just about spraying pesticides.
The programme covers integrated pest management, biological control, plant breeding for resistance and quarantine measures, with pesticides as one tool among many.
There are no jobs in crop protection.
Kenya's agricultural sector employs crop protection professionals in extension services, research, agrochemical companies, quarantine services and farming.
Crop protection is only for farmers.
Graduates work in diverse roles including inspection, research, extension, sales and policy, not just farming.
You need to come from a farming background to study crop protection.
The programme is open to all students who meet entry requirements, regardless of their background.