Agriculture

Diploma in Dryland Agriculture

The Diploma in Dryland Agriculture is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in dryland farming, soil and water conservation, drought-resistant crop production, livestock production in arid areas and natural resource management. Offered at Egerton University and Turkana University College, the programme prepares students for careers supporting agricultural development in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands.

The curriculum covers dryland crop production, soil and water conservation, irrigation management, drought-resistant crop varieties, dryland livestock production, pasture management in arid areas, agroforestry, range management, agricultural meteorology, food security in drylands, agricultural extension, farm management, research methods and industrial attachment. Students develop both technical and field practical skills.

Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands cover over 80 per cent of the national land area and support millions of livelihoods. The programme responds to the need for trained professionals who can promote sustainable agricultural practices, improve food security and support climate-resilient farming in dryland areas.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, field practicals, farm visits, case studies, research projects and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in soil conservation, irrigation, dryland crop and livestock production through practical sessions and attachment at agricultural research stations, farms or extension services.

Graduates pursue careers as agricultural extension officers, dryland farming technicians, soil conservation officers, range management assistants, agricultural project officers and farm managers in government ministries, county governments, NGOs and agricultural enterprises. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Dryland Agriculture or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have an interest in agriculture, environmental sustainability and rural development. The programme is suitable for students seeking technical careers in dryland agriculture and natural resource management.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,000
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: 35 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Dryland Crop Production and Soil Conservation
Irrigation and Water Resource Management
Dryland Livestock and Range Management
Agroforestry and Pasture Management
Agricultural Meteorology and Climate Adaptation
Food Security and Agricultural Extension
Farm Management and Entrepreneurship
Research Methods and Field Attachment

Modules

8 in the programme

Dryland Crop Production and Soil Conservation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers dryland cropping systems, drought-resistant crop varieties, conservation tillage, soil erosion control, terracing and organic matter management.
Irrigation and Water Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers irrigation methods for drylands, water harvesting techniques, drip irrigation, water storage, watershed management and efficient water use.
Dryland Livestock and Range Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers dryland livestock breeds, pastoral production systems, range management, rotational grazing, fodder conservation and livestock health in arid areas.
Agroforestry and Pasture Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers agroforestry systems for drylands, tree species selection, pasture establishment, fodder trees and integrated crop-tree-livestock systems.
Agricultural Meteorology and Climate Adaptation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers weather and climate in drylands, drought monitoring, seasonal forecasting, climate-smart agriculture and adaptation strategies for arid farming.
Food Security and Agricultural Extension
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers food security concepts, vulnerability assessment, agricultural extension methods, farmer education and community mobilisation in dryland areas.
Farm Management and Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers farm business planning, budgeting, marketing of dryland produce, value addition, agribusiness entrepreneurship and financial management.
Research Methods and Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Covers research methods, data collection and analysis, plus a three-month industrial attachment at an agricultural research station, farm or extension service.

Specialisations

Dryland Crop Production
Focuses on drought-resistant crops and conservation farming for careers as dryland farming technicians.
Dryland Livestock and Range Management
Specialises in pastoral systems and range management for careers as range management assistants.
Soil and Water Conservation
Focuses on soil conservation and water harvesting for careers as soil conservation officers.
Agricultural Extension
Specialises in farmer education and community mobilisation for careers as agricultural extension officers.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on dryland crop production or soil conservation, followed by a laboratory session on soil analysis or a field practical on irrigation techniques. Afternoon sessions may include a farm visit to observe drought-resistant crops, a group exercise on range management, or a case study on climate adaptation. Students also work on agricultural projects and field assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's drylands cover over 80 per cent of the land area, creating significant demand for dryland agriculture expertise.
The programme addresses critical food security and climate adaptation challenges in arid and semi-arid lands.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Dryland Agriculture or related degree programmes.

Against it

Field work is often in remote, hot and challenging environments in arid areas.
The programme is offered at only two institutions, both public, limiting study location options.

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

Public60k to 183k

60k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST)183k at Turkana 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

MMUST 60K, Turkana Univ 183K/yr (mmust.ac.ke, educationnewshub). Private unverified.

Students can access HELB loans and government scholarships under Kenya's new funding model. County governments in arid areas may offer bursaries for students from dryland regions.

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: Relevant certificate course in a related field from a recognised institution.

Biology or Biological Sciences
C
Chemistry or Physical Science
C
Geography
C
English or Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering dryland crop production, soil conservation and irrigation.
Laboratory and Field Practicals
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions on soil analysis and field practicals on irrigation and conservation techniques.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A research project on a dryland agriculture topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at an agricultural research station, farm or extension service.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Egerton University and Turkana University College.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Egerton University and Turkana University College.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Agricultural Extension Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000
Supports farmers in dryland areas with technical advice on crop and livestock production, soil conservation and climate adaptation.
Dryland Farming Technician
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 120,000
Implements dryland farming techniques including irrigation, soil conservation and drought-resistant crop production on farms and research stations.
Soil Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 130,000
Designs and implements soil conservation measures including terracing, water harvesting and erosion control in dryland areas.
Range Management Assistant
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 110,000
Supports range management programmes, monitors pasture conditions and assists with grazing plans in pastoral areas.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as agricultural extension officers, dryland farming technicians and soil conservation officers in government ministries, county governments and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agriculture in drylands is impossible due to lack of water.
Dryland agriculture uses specialised techniques including drought-resistant crops, water harvesting, conservation tillage and efficient irrigation to produce food sustainably in arid areas.
Dryland agriculture is only about crop farming.
The programme covers both crop and livestock production, range management, agroforestry and natural resource conservation in dryland ecosystems.
There are no career opportunities in dryland agriculture.
With over 80 per cent of Kenya's land being arid or semi-arid, there is significant demand for professionals who can support agricultural development and food security in these regions.
Dryland agriculture is the same as general agriculture.
Dryland agriculture focuses specifically on the unique challenges and opportunities of arid and semi-arid farming, including drought adaptation, water conservation and pastoral systems.