Agriculture

Master of Science in Agri-business

The Master of Science in Agri-business is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in agribusiness management, agricultural marketing, and farm business development. The programme combines agricultural economics with business management and enterprise development methodology.

Core areas include agribusiness management, agricultural marketing, farm business development, agricultural finance, supply chain management, agribusiness trade, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both agribusiness theory and practical business application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University and Great Lakes University of Kisumu. KU is a public university while Great Lakes is a private university, offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in agribusiness management, agricultural marketing, farm business development, agricultural finance, supply chain management, agribusiness trade, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and a research thesis.

KU charges approximately KES 120,000/year for East Africans. Great Lakes University charges approximately KES 130,000/year (KES 65,000/semester). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as agribusiness managers, agricultural marketing managers, farm business developers, supply chain managers, agricultural consultants, and lecturers in agribusiness across agricultural companies, NGOs, government, and financial institutions.

Skills Required

Agribusiness Management and Strategy
Agricultural Marketing and Market Analysis
Farm Business Development and Planning
Agricultural Finance and Investment
Supply Chain Management in Agriculture
Agribusiness Trade and Policy
Enterprise Planning and Feasibility Analysis
Agricultural Economics and Pricing
Research Methods in Agribusiness
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Agribusiness Management and Strategy
Agricultural Marketing and Market Analysis
Farm Business Development and Planning
Agricultural Finance and Investment
Supply Chain Management in Agriculture
Agribusiness Trade and Policy
Agricultural Economics and Pricing
Research Methods in Agribusiness
Enterprise Planning and Feasibility Analysis
Thesis Research

Certifications

KAM Agribusiness Certification
FAO Agribusiness Management Certification

Specializations

Farm Business Development

Focuses on farm business development, covering farm planning, enterprise management, farm investment, farm business analysis, and managing farm business development.

Trade and Development

Examines agribusiness trade and development, covering agricultural trade, trade policy, market development, regional trade, and managing agribusiness trade.

Agricultural Marketing

Covers agricultural marketing, covering market analysis, marketing strategy, agricultural commodities, brand management, and managing agricultural marketing.

Agribusiness Finance

Focuses on agribusiness finance, covering agricultural credit, investment analysis, financial planning, risk financing, and managing agribusiness finance.

Supply Chain Management

Examines agricultural supply chain management, covering supply chain design, logistics, distribution, inventory management, and managing agricultural supply chains.

Agribusiness Policy

Covers agribusiness policy, covering agricultural policy, regulatory frameworks, trade policy, enterprise regulations, and managing agribusiness policy.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 433,500
Private, up to: Ksh 300,000
Job market: High

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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Agribusiness Management and Strategy
Agricultural Marketing and Market Analysis
Farm Business Development and Planning
Agricultural Finance and Investment
Supply Chain Management in Agriculture
Agribusiness Trade and Policy
Agricultural Economics and Pricing
Research Methods in Agribusiness
Enterprise Planning and Feasibility Analysis
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Agribusiness Management and Strategy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines business strategy, operations management, enterprise management, strategic planning, competitive analysis, and managing agribusiness.
Agricultural Marketing and Market Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers market analysis, marketing strategy, commodity marketing, brand management, consumer behaviour, and managing agricultural marketing.
Research Methods in Agribusiness
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting agribusiness research, preparing students for their thesis.
Agricultural Economics and Pricing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines production economics, price analysis, market economics, welfare economics, agricultural policy, and managing agricultural economics.
Farm Business Development and Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers farm planning, enterprise management, farm investment, farm business analysis, risk management, and managing farm business development.
Agricultural Finance and Investment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines agricultural credit, investment analysis, financial planning, risk financing, microfinance, and managing agribusiness finance.
Supply Chain Management in Agriculture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers supply chain design, logistics, distribution, inventory management, cold chain, and managing agricultural supply chains.
Agribusiness Trade and Policy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines agricultural trade, trade policy, regional trade, market access, trade agreements, and managing agribusiness trade.
Enterprise Planning and Feasibility Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers feasibility analysis, business plan development, project management, enterprise monitoring, and managing enterprise planning.
Agribusiness Innovation and Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines agribusiness innovation, agri-tech, digital agriculture, precision farming, innovation management, and managing agribusiness innovation.
Agricultural Policy and Regulatory Environment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agricultural policy, regulatory frameworks, food safety regulations, trade regulations, compliance, and managing agribusiness policy.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an agribusiness topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and agribusiness knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Farm Business Development
Focuses on farm business development, covering farm planning, enterprise management, farm investment, farm business analysis, and managing farm business development.
Trade and Development
Examines agribusiness trade and development, covering agricultural trade, trade policy, market development, regional trade, and managing agribusiness trade.
Agricultural Marketing
Covers agricultural marketing, covering market analysis, marketing strategy, agricultural commodities, brand management, and managing agricultural marketing.
Agribusiness Finance
Focuses on agribusiness finance, covering agricultural credit, investment analysis, financial planning, risk financing, and managing agribusiness finance.
Supply Chain Management
Examines agricultural supply chain management, covering supply chain design, logistics, distribution, inventory management, and managing agricultural supply chains.
Agribusiness Policy
Covers agribusiness policy, covering agricultural policy, regulatory frameworks, trade policy, enterprise regulations, and managing agribusiness policy.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Agri-business programme combines lectures, case studies, field visits, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover agribusiness management, agricultural marketing, farm business development, agricultural finance, and supply chain management. Agribusiness management sessions examine business strategy, operations management, enterprise management, strategic planning, and managing agribusiness. Agricultural marketing sessions cover market analysis, marketing strategy, commodity marketing, brand management, and managing agricultural marketing. Farm business development sessions cover farm planning, enterprise management, farm investment, farm business analysis, and managing farm business development. Agricultural finance sessions cover agricultural credit, investment analysis, financial planning, risk financing, and managing agribusiness finance. Supply chain management sessions cover supply chain design, logistics, distribution, inventory management, and managing agricultural supply chains. Agribusiness trade sessions cover agricultural trade, trade policy, regional trade, market access, and managing agribusiness trade. Agricultural economics sessions cover production economics, price analysis, market economics, welfare economics, and managing agricultural economics. Enterprise planning sessions cover feasibility analysis, business plan development, project management, and managing enterprise planning. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Case studies and field visits provide practical experience with agribusiness enterprises, agricultural markets, supply chains, and farm business operations. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in agribusiness. Guest lectures from experienced agribusiness managers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and industry leaders provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on an agribusiness topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for agribusiness professionals with growing agricultural commercialisation, value chain development, and food industry growth in Kenya.
Programme is offered by both public (KU) and private (Great Lakes) universities, providing institutional choice.
KU offers competitive fees at KES 120,000/year for East Africans.
Programme combines agricultural science with business management, providing versatile skills for agribusiness and enterprise development.

Against it

Great Lakes University fees are slightly higher at KES 130,000/year.
Programme requires agriculture or related background, which may limit access for non-agricultural graduates.
Only two institutions confirmed offering this specific programme name, limiting options.
Career prospects may be concentrated in agricultural sector, limiting cross-sector mobility.

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

Public84k to 434k

84k at Rongo University434k at University of Nairobi

Private100k to 300k

100k at Kenya Methodist University300k 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

UoN ~433.5K/yr est. KeMU ~100K/yr. Strathmore & Rongo unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. FAO and other international organisations may provide training support for agribusiness professionals. Some agricultural companies and NGOs may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Bursary
FAO Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KU Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenyatta University offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
FAO Training Support
GrantKsh 300,000
Food and Agriculture Organization provides training support for agribusiness professionals 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: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in agriculture, agribusiness, or related field. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, business plan development, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering agribusiness management, agricultural marketing, farm business development, agricultural finance, and supply chain management.
Field Project Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Practical assessment through field projects, enterprise feasibility studies, market analysis projects, and demonstrating agribusiness skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an agribusiness topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and agribusiness knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University (public) and Great Lakes University of Kisumu (private) offer MSc in Agribusiness Management. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in agribusiness. Graduates are eligible for KAM agribusiness certification and FAO agribusiness management certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University (public) and Great Lakes University of Kisumu (private) offer MSc in Agribusiness Management. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in agribusiness. Graduates are eligible for KAM agribusiness certification and FAO agribusiness management certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Agribusiness Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages agribusiness operations, overseeing business strategy, operations management, financial management, and managing agribusiness enterprises.
Agricultural Marketing Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages agricultural marketing programmes, overseeing market analysis, marketing strategy, brand management, and managing agricultural marketing.
Farm Business Developer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Develops farm business operations, overseeing farm planning, enterprise management, investment analysis, and managing farm business development.
Supply Chain Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages agricultural supply chains, overseeing supply chain design, logistics, distribution, inventory management, and managing supply chain operations.
Agricultural Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Consults on agribusiness matters, overseeing enterprise advisory, feasibility studies, business planning, and managing agricultural consulting.
Agribusiness Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches agribusiness at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, field supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS statistical software for agribusiness research, covering data analysis, statistical tests, and managing research data.
Excel
Software
Excel for agribusiness planning, covering financial modelling, business planning, feasibility analysis, and managing enterprise data.
Stata
Software
Stata statistical software for agribusiness research, covering data analysis, econometric modelling, and managing research data.
Business Model Canvas
Tool
Business Model Canvas for enterprise planning, covering business model design, value proposition, revenue streams, and managing enterprise models.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agribusiness is just about farming.
Agribusiness covers comprehensive business including marketing, finance, supply chain management, trade, and enterprise development beyond just farming.
This programme is only for those from farming backgrounds.
Agribusiness skills are valuable for anyone interested in agricultural business, marketing, supply chain, finance, and enterprise management.
Agribusiness has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing agricultural commercialisation, value chain development, and food industry growth, demand for agribusiness professionals is increasing in Kenya.
Agribusiness management is the same as general business management.
Agribusiness management requires specialised knowledge of agricultural markets, commodity pricing, seasonality, and supply chain dynamics specific to agriculture.
Agricultural marketing is just about selling produce.
Agricultural marketing covers comprehensive market analysis, branding, distribution, export marketing, and digital marketing for agricultural products.
Agribusiness is only for rural areas.
Agribusiness spans urban and rural contexts, covering food processing, agricultural services, agri-tech, and agricultural finance in both settings.