Agriculture

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.

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.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 474,000
Private, up to: Ksh 168,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 6 students
Award: PhD

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 favour

Addresses Kenya's critical food security challenges in ASAL areas
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per year
Strong institutional links with KALRO, NDMA, FAO, and ICRISAT
Over 80% of Kenya's land is ASAL creating strong relevance and demand

Against it

Field research in remote ASAL areas can be logistically challenging
Research funding for dryland agriculture is competitive
Working in drought-affected communities can be emotionally demanding
Dryland 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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MSc in Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Science, or related agricultural science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Agriculture or related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

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

Industry links

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.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in livestock production systems