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Doctor of Philosophy in Dryland Agriculture

The Doctor of Philosophy in Dryland Agriculture is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on agricultural production in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), including drought-tolerant crops, water management, sustainable land use, and food security in dryland environments.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 474,000
Ksh 1,422,000 to Ksh 2,370,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 168,000
Ksh 504,000 to Ksh 840,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 474,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,422,000 to Ksh 2,370,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 168,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.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

Students engage with advanced dryland crop science, water management, soil conservation, climate adaptation, agricultural enterprise development, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field and laboratory research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to dryland agriculture.

Over 80% of Kenya's land area is classified as arid or semi-arid, supporting millions of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists who face recurrent droughts and food insecurity. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 and the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy by training researchers who can develop drought-resilient agricultural technologies and improve food security in ASAL areas.

Teaching methods include lectures, field research in ASAL areas, laboratory sessions, industry visits, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's agricultural research facilities and conduct field research in dryland farming areas across Kenya.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, dryland agriculture researchers, agronomists, agricultural consultants, and food security specialists in universities, KALRO, the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, ICRISAT, and NGOs working in ASAL development.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in agriculture, agronomy, soil science, or related agricultural sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in dryland agriculture and food security.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Dryland Crop Production
  • Water Management in ASALs
  • Soil Conservation and Management
  • Climate-Smart Agriculture
  • Drought-Tolerant Crops
  • Research Methodology
  • Pastoral Farming Systems
  • Thesis Research
  • Biostatistics
  • Agricultural Enterprise Development

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Advanced Dryland Crop Production

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced study of crop production in arid and semi-arid conditions including drought-tolerant crops, sorghum, millet, pigeonpea, and dryland farming systems

  • Water Management in ASALs

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Water harvesting, conservation, and management techniques for agricultural production in arid and semi-arid lands

  • Soil Conservation and Management in Drylands

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Soil conservation techniques for dryland areas including erosion control, soil fertility management, and sustainable land management

  • Climate-Smart Agriculture and Adaptation

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Climate adaptation strategies for dryland agriculture including climate-resilient crops, weather-based decision support, and adaptation planning

  • Drought-Tolerant Crop Development

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Research on developing and evaluating drought-tolerant crop varieties including breeding, selection, and performance evaluation under water stress

  • Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Farming Systems

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research on pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems in Kenyan ASALs including livestock integration, mobility, and livelihood diversification

  • Research Methodology and Biostatistics

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research design, data analysis methods, and statistical techniques for agricultural research in dryland environments

  • Agricultural Enterprise Development in ASALs

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Enterprise development in dryland areas including value addition, market access, and agribusiness opportunities for ASAL communities

  • Thesis Proposal Development

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal on a dryland agriculture topic

  • Thesis Research and Writing

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Independent doctoral research culminating in a thesis defended before internal and external examiners

Specialisations

  • Academic Research in Agriculture

    Specialization in Academic Research in Agriculture, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.

  • Seed Sales Agronomy

    Specialization in Seed Sales Agronomy, preparing graduates for careers such as seed-sales-agronomist.

  • Agronomy Practice

    Specialization in Agronomy Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as agronomist-kenya.

  • Agribusiness Management

    Specialization in Agribusiness Management, preparing graduates for careers such as agribusiness-manager.

  • Agricultural Research Science

    Specialization in Agricultural Research Science, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-research-scientist.

  • Soil Science Research

    Specialization in Soil Science Research, preparing graduates for careers such as soil-scientist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines field research in ASAL areas with laboratory analysis of soil and plant samples, data analysis on crop performance under drought conditions, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend agriculture research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with KALRO and NDMA for field research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Addresses Kenya's critical food security challenges in ASAL areasField research in remote ASAL areas can be logistically challenging
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per yearResearch funding for dryland agriculture is competitive
Strong institutional links with KALRO, NDMA, FAO, and ICRISATWorking in drought-affected communities can be emotionally demanding
Over 80% of Kenya's land is ASAL creating strong relevance and demandDryland agriculture is less prestigious than other agricultural research fields

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
Public252k to 474k
252k at Egerton University474k at University of Nairobi
Private150k to 168k
150k at Mount Kenya University168k at Kenya Methodist 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

UoN 474K (larmat.uonbi.ac.ke), KU 367K, Egerton 252K/yr. MKU 150K, KeMU 168K.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and ICRISAT research fellowships for dryland agriculture research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • ICRISAT Research Fellowship

    Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

  • DAAD Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

  • NRF Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development

Scholarships you could apply for

2 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

Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Subject requirements
Master's DegreeMSc in Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Science, or related agricultural science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in Agriculture or related field
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, Egerton University.

May 20273 institutions

Including Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, Egerton University.

September 20273 institutions

Including Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, Egerton University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Thesis Examination

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Field and Laboratory Reports

    Coursework20% of the mark

  • Oral Viva Voce

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Food Security Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Advises government, FAO, and NGOs on food security and drought resilience in ASAL areas

  • Agronomist (Dryland)

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Provides agronomic expertise for dryland farming at agricultural companies, NGOs, or government agencies

  • Agricultural Research Scientist

    High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Conducts dryland agriculture research at KALRO, ICRISAT, or international research institutions

  • University Lecturer (Agriculture)

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Teaches dryland agriculture and conducts research in university agriculture departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, dryland agriculture researchers, agronomists, and food security specialists in universities, KALRO, NDMA, FAO, ICRISAT, and NGOs working in ASAL development.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Dryland agriculture is just about farming in dry areas

    Dryland agriculture encompasses drought-tolerant crop development, water harvesting, soil conservation, climate adaptation, pastoral systems, and agricultural enterprise development in arid and semi-arid lands.

  • A PhD in dryland agriculture has limited career prospects

    Over 80% of Kenya's land is ASAL, creating strong demand for dryland agriculture researchers at KALRO, NDMA, FAO, ICRISAT, and NGOs addressing food security in dryland areas.

  • Dryland agriculture research is not relevant to Kenya

    Kenya's recurrent droughts and food insecurity in ASAL areas make dryland agriculture research critical for national food security and the livelihoods of millions of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists.

  • Agriculture in ASALs is not productive

    With appropriate technologies including drought-tolerant crops, water harvesting, and climate-smart practices, dryland agriculture can be productive and sustainable, supporting millions of livelihoods in Kenya's ASALs.

Further reading

Read next