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Doctor of Philosophy in Dryland Agriculture and Resource Management

The Doctor of Philosophy in Dryland Agriculture and Resource Management is a postgraduate research programme offered at Egerton University through the Faculty of Agriculture and the Graduate School. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on agricultural production and natural resource management in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), integrating crop production, livestock systems, water management, and environmental conservation for sustainable dryland development.

Duration
3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 474,000
Ksh 1,422,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 168,000
Ksh 504,000 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 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 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 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 farming systems, resource management, soil and water conservation, climate adaptation, pastoral systems, 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 and resource management.

Over 80% of Kenya's land area is classified as arid or semi-arid, supporting millions of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists facing recurrent droughts, land degradation, and resource conflicts. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 and the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy by training researchers who can develop integrated solutions for dryland agriculture and natural resource management.

Teaching methods include lectures, field research in ASAL areas, laboratory sessions, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to Egerton's agricultural research facilities and the CESAAM Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management.

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

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in agriculture, environmental science, natural resource management, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in dryland agriculture and resource management.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Dryland Farming Systems
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Soil and Water Conservation
  • Climate Adaptation in ASALs
  • Pastoral Systems Research
  • Research Methodology
  • Agro-Pastoral Development
  • Thesis Research
  • Biostatistics
  • Land Restoration

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced Dryland Farming Systems

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced study of dryland farming systems including crop-livestock integration, agro-pastoral systems, and sustainable production in arid environments

  • Dryland Crop Production Systems

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Crop production in dryland environments, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.

  • Natural Resource Management in ASALs

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Management of natural resources in dryland areas including rangeland management, water resources, biodiversity, and ecosystem services

  • Dryland Livestock Management

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Livestock management in ASALs, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.

  • Soil and Water Conservation in Drylands

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Soil conservation techniques, water harvesting, irrigation efficiency, and land management for dryland agriculture

  • Soil and Water Conservation in ASALs

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Conservation of soil and water in drylands, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.

  • Climate Adaptation and Resilience in ASALs

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Climate change adaptation strategies for dryland agriculture including climate-resilient crops, early warning systems, and adaptation planning

  • Rangeland Management and Ecology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Management of rangeland ecosystems, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.

  • Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Systems Research

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Research on pastoral production systems including livestock mobility, range management, and livelihood diversification in Kenyan ASALs

  • Drought Resilience and Risk Management

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Building drought resilience, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.

  • Land Restoration and Rehabilitation

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Techniques for restoring degraded dryland ecosystems including reforestation, soil rehabilitation, and sustainable land management practices

  • Research Methods in Dryland Agriculture

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.

Specialisations

  • Seed Sales Agronomy

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

  • 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.

  • Academic Research in Agriculture

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

  • 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.

  • Water Harvesting

    Research on water harvesting in drylands

  • Rangeland Management

    Research on rangeland management

  • Dryland Crop Production

    Research on dryland crop systems

  • Drought Resilience

    Research on drought resilience

A day as a student

A typical day combines field research in ASAL areas with laboratory analysis of soil and water samples, data analysis on crop and resource management, 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
Integrates agriculture with natural resource management for holistic dryland developmentField research in remote ASAL areas can be logistically challenging
Access to KALRO, NDMA and ICARDA for researchRequires multidisciplinary knowledge of crops, livestock and environment
Egerton hosts CESAAM Centre of Excellence with World Bank fundingResearch funding for dryland agriculture is competitive
Strong institutional links with KALRO, NDMA, FAO, and ICRISATInterdisciplinary requirements span agriculture, environment, and social science

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), Egerton 252K/yr. MKU 150K, KeMU 168K. Moi unverified.

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

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • CESAAM Scholarship

    Scholarship

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • CESAAM Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    MSc and PhD students at Egerton University working on sustainable agriculture

  • DAAD Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

  • FAO Research Grant

    Grant

    Agriculture and food security researchers

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

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, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, or related field
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 2 institutions
January 20272 institutions

Including South Eastern Kenya University, Egerton University.

May 20272 institutions

Including South Eastern Kenya University, Egerton University.

September 20272 institutions

Including South Eastern Kenya University, Egerton University.

How you are assessed

5 components

  • Oral Viva Voce

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework30% of the mark

  • Thesis Examination

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Egerton University hosts the World Bank-funded CESAAM Centre of Excellence.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 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

  • University Lecturer (Agriculture)

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Teaches dryland agriculture and conducts research in university agriculture departments

  • Agricultural Research Scientist

    High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

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

  • Natural Resource Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Manages natural resource programmes at NDMA, county governments, or environmental NGOs

  • ASAL Development Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Consulting on ASAL development

  • Rangeland Management Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Rangeland management at government and NGOs

  • University Professor

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in agriculture departments

  • Dryland Agriculture Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000

    Research at KALRO and ICARDA

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, dryland agriculture researchers, natural resource managers, 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 and resource management is just about farming in dry areas

    The programme integrates crop production, livestock systems, water management, soil conservation, climate adaptation, and natural resource governance for holistic dryland development.

  • A PhD in dryland agriculture has limited career prospects

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

  • Dryland resource management research is not relevant to Kenya

    Kenya's recurrent droughts, land degradation, and resource conflicts in ASAL areas make integrated dryland agriculture and resource management research critical for national development.

  • ASAL areas cannot support productive agriculture

    With appropriate technologies including drought-tolerant crops, water harvesting, and sustainable resource management, dryland areas can support productive and sustainable agriculture.

Further reading

Read next