Agriculture

Master of Management in Agribusiness

The Master of Management in Agribusiness is a postgraduate programme that equips professionals with advanced knowledge and skills at the intersection of business management and agriculture. The programme prepares graduates to lead agribusiness organisations, manage agricultural value chains, and drive innovation in one of Kenya's most vital sectors.

Core areas of study include agribusiness management, agricultural economics, value chain analysis, behavioural economics, agricultural finance, food systems management, global agricultural trade, agricultural entrepreneurship, supply chain management in agriculture, research methods, and thesis writing. Students engage with business acumen and agricultural entrepreneurship in a blended curriculum.

The programme is offered by Strathmore University through its Business School, with Chuka University listed as a college offering MSc Agribusiness Management. Strathmore's programme blends classic economic subjects with production engineering subjects from agricultural sciences, exploring management and innovation in the context of land, agribusiness, and global trade.

Students develop competencies in agribusiness management, agricultural economics, value chain analysis, behavioural economics, agricultural finance, food systems, global agricultural trade, entrepreneurship, supply chain management, and research methodology. The programme includes coursework, examinations, an international module, and a research thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years in a modular structure, with two-week sessions every quarter to accommodate working professionals. Strathmore's programme includes an international module at Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom. The programme is designed for agribusiness professionals, agricultural entrepreneurs, and managers seeking advanced agribusiness expertise.

Graduates pursue careers as agribusiness managers, agricultural value chain managers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, agricultural finance managers, food systems managers, and agribusiness consultants in agricultural companies, banks, NGOs, government, and international agricultural organisations.

Skills Required

Agribusiness Management and Strategy
Agricultural Economics and Market Analysis
Agricultural Value Chain Analysis
Behavioural Economics in Agriculture
Agricultural Finance and Risk Management
Food Systems Management
Global Agricultural Trade and Policy
Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Agricultural Supply Chain Management
Research Methods in Agribusiness

Key Subjects

Agribusiness Management
Agricultural Economics
Value Chain Analysis
Behavioural Economics
Agricultural Finance
Food Systems Management
Global Agricultural Trade
Agricultural Entrepreneurship
Supply Chain Management in Agriculture
Research Methods in Agribusiness

Certifications

AGRA Agribusiness Certification
FAO Food Systems Certification

Specializations

Agribusiness Management

Focuses on managing agribusiness organisations, strategic planning, operations management, and leadership in agricultural enterprises.

Agricultural Value Chains

Examines agricultural value chain analysis, value chain development, supply chain optimisation, and managing agricultural value chains from farm to market.

Agricultural Finance

Covers agricultural finance, agricultural credit, risk management in agriculture, agricultural insurance, and financing agricultural enterprises.

Food Systems Management

Focuses on food systems management, food security, food safety, sustainable food production, and managing food supply from production to consumption.

Agricultural Entrepreneurship

Examines agricultural entrepreneurship, innovation in agribusiness, starting and scaling agricultural ventures, and agribusiness model development.

Global Agricultural Trade

Covers global agricultural trade, international agricultural markets, trade policy, and navigating international agricultural commodity markets.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 188,650
Private, up to: Ksh 566,400
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Modular
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Agribusiness Management
Agricultural Economics
Value Chain Analysis
Behavioural Economics
Agricultural Finance
Food Systems Management
Global Agricultural Trade
Agricultural Entrepreneurship
Supply Chain Management in Agriculture
Research Methods in Agribusiness

Modules

10 in the programme

Agribusiness Management and Strategy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines agribusiness management principles, strategic planning for agricultural enterprises, operations management, and leadership in agribusiness organisations.
Agricultural Economics and Market Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agricultural economics, market analysis, price determination in agricultural markets, and economic factors affecting agribusiness decisions.
Agricultural Value Chain Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines agricultural value chain analysis, value chain development, identifying value chain opportunities, and optimising agricultural value chains from farm to market.
Behavioural Economics in Agriculture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers behavioural economics applied to agriculture, decision-making in agricultural contexts, farmer behaviour, and using behavioural insights for agribusiness.
Agricultural Finance and Risk Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines agricultural finance, agricultural credit, risk management in agriculture, agricultural insurance, and financing agricultural enterprises and value chains.
Food Systems Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers food systems management, food security, food safety, sustainable food production, and managing food supply from production to consumption.
Global Agricultural Trade
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines global agricultural trade, international agricultural markets, trade policy, commodity markets, and navigating international agricultural trade dynamics.
Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers agricultural entrepreneurship, innovation in agribusiness, starting and scaling agricultural ventures, and developing sustainable agribusiness models.
Research Methods in Agribusiness
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in agribusiness, including research design and data analysis.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an agribusiness topic, demonstrating mastery of agribusiness concepts and research methods, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Agribusiness Management
Focuses on managing agribusiness organisations, strategic planning, operations management, and leadership in agricultural enterprises.
Agricultural Value Chains
Examines agricultural value chain analysis, value chain development, supply chain optimisation, and managing agricultural value chains from farm to market.
Agricultural Finance
Covers agricultural finance, agricultural credit, risk management in agriculture, agricultural insurance, and financing agricultural enterprises.
Food Systems Management
Focuses on food systems management, food security, food safety, sustainable food production, and managing food supply from production to consumption.
Agricultural Entrepreneurship
Examines agricultural entrepreneurship, innovation in agribusiness, starting and scaling agricultural ventures, and agribusiness model development.
Global Agricultural Trade
Covers global agricultural trade, international agricultural markets, trade policy, and navigating international agricultural commodity markets.

A day as a student

A typical day during modular sessions involves intensive lectures on agribusiness management, agricultural economics, or value chain analysis. Students engage in case discussions analysing agribusiness scenarios, market dynamics, and value chain challenges. Group projects involve developing agribusiness plans, analysing agricultural value chains, or designing agricultural finance products. The modular structure accommodates working professionals with two-week sessions every quarter. The international module at Harper Adams University provides exposure to UK and global agricultural practices. Guest lectures from agribusiness executives, agricultural bank managers, and international agricultural experts provide industry insights. Between modules, students complete readings, assignments, and project work. The programme blends business acumen with agricultural entrepreneurship, preparing graduates to lead across the agribusiness value chain.

The trade offs

In its favour

Agriculture is Kenya's backbone and the growing agribusiness sector creates strong demand for qualified management professionals.
Programme includes an international module at Harper Adams University UK, providing global agricultural perspectives and networking.
Modular structure accommodates working professionals, allowing career advancement while employed.
Strathmore Business School provides strong industry networks, experienced faculty, and quality business education.

Against it

Total cost of KES 1,416,000 is significantly higher than public university programmes, limiting accessibility.
Programme is offered at only one private university, limiting options for prospective students.
Modular format requires intensive focus during two-week sessions, which may be challenging for some professionals.
International module travel to UK adds cost and logistical complexity for some students.

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

Public150k to 189k

150k at South Eastern Kenya University189k at Egerton University

Private113k to 566k

113k at Kenya Methodist University566k at Strathmore 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

Egerton 188.7K/yr (egerton.ac.ke). SEKU ~150K/yr (tuko.co.ke). Strathmore 566K/yr, KEMU ~113K/yr (eafinder.com).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. AGRA offers agribusiness scholarships for African professionals. IFAD provides rural development grants. The programme's agricultural focus attracts development funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
AGRA Agribusiness Scholarships
IFAD Rural Development Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
AGRA Agribusiness Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
AGRA offers agribusiness scholarships for African professionals working in agricultural transformation and food security.
IFAD Rural Development Grants
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
IFAD provides rural development grants for professionals working in agricultural development in developing countries.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for agribusiness professionals, agricultural entrepreneurs, and managers. Modular structure with two-week sessions every quarter accommodates working professionals. International module at Harper Adams University UK is included.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
CATs, agribusiness case analyses, value chain mapping assignments, market analysis exercises, and seminar presentations conducted during modular sessions.
Practical Projects
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment involving agribusiness plan development, value chain analysis projects, agricultural finance modelling, and market research exercises.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-module examination covering agribusiness management, economics, finance, and value chains, including essay and case analysis questions.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an agribusiness topic, demonstrating mastery of agribusiness concepts and research methods, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Strathmore University is a CUE-accredited private university. The programme aligns with Ministry of Agriculture policies and international agricultural standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Strathmore University is a CUE-accredited private university.
Strathmore University Business School Accreditation
Professional accreditation
Strathmore Business School holds international business education accreditations and partnerships, enhancing programme quality and recognition.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Agribusiness Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages agribusiness operations in agricultural companies, overseeing production, processing, marketing, and distribution of agricultural products.
Agricultural Value Chain Manager
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages agricultural value chains, coordinating suppliers, producers, processors, and markets to optimise value chain efficiency and profitability.
Agribusiness Entrepreneur
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 500,000
Starts and runs agribusiness ventures, developing innovative agricultural business models, products, and services for the agricultural sector.
Agricultural Finance Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages agricultural finance portfolios in banks or microfinance institutions, overseeing agricultural lending, risk assessment, and financial products.
Food Systems Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages food systems and supply chains, ensuring food quality, safety, and efficient distribution from production to consumption.
Agribusiness Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides consulting services on agribusiness strategy, value chain development, and agricultural investment for companies, NGOs, or government.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as agribusiness managers, value chain managers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and agricultural finance managers in agricultural companies, banks, NGOs, and government.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SAP Agribusiness
SoftwarePrimary
Enterprise software for managing agribusiness operations, supply chains, and agricultural commodity trading.
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet software for agribusiness financial analysis, value chain modelling, market analysis, and business planning.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for agribusiness research, market data analysis, and quantitative research projects.
Stata
Software
Statistical software for agricultural economics research, econometric analysis, and agribusiness data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agribusiness management is just about farming.
The programme covers comprehensive agribusiness including value chains, finance, global trade, entrepreneurship, and food systems management, far beyond farming operations.
This programme is only for people from agricultural backgrounds.
The programme accepts graduates from diverse backgrounds including business, economics, and agriculture, developing agribusiness expertise from foundational levels.
Agribusiness has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Agriculture is Kenya's backbone, and the growing agribusiness sector, food security initiatives, and agricultural value chain development create strong demand for qualified professionals.
The modular format is less rigorous than full-time study.
The modular structure is intensive, condensing learning into focused sessions while maintaining academic rigour, and is specifically designed for working professionals.
The international module is just a study tour.
The international module at Harper Adams University provides deep immersion in global agricultural practices, comparative analysis, and international networking opportunities.
This programme overlaps with a general MBA.
The programme specifically addresses agribusiness contexts, agricultural value chains, food systems, and agricultural economics, distinct from a general MBA.