Agriculture

Master of Science in Agribusiness Management and Trade

The Master of Science in Agribusiness Management and Trade is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in agribusiness management, agricultural trade, and enterprise development. The programme combines agricultural economics with trade theory and business management methodology.

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

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University and Egerton University. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

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

KU charges approximately KES 130,000/year for East Africans. Egerton charges approximately KES 172,150/year for agricultural master's programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in agribusiness, agricultural economics, agriculture, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as agribusiness managers, trade analysts, farm business developers, supply chain managers, agricultural consultants, and lecturers in agribusiness management and trade across agricultural companies, trade organisations, government, and financial institutions.

Skills Required

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

Key Subjects

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

Certifications

KAM Agribusiness Certification
WTO Trade Policy 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 agricultural trade and development, covering trade theory, trade policy, regional trade, market access, and managing agribusiness trade.

Agribusiness Finance

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

Supply Chain Management

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

Agricultural Marketing

Examines agricultural marketing, covering market analysis, marketing strategy, commodity marketing, brand management, and managing agricultural marketing.

Enterprise Development

Covers enterprise development, covering enterprise creation, business planning, innovation, startup management, and managing agricultural enterprises.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
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 Trade and Trade Policy
Farm Business Development and Planning
Agricultural Finance and Investment
Supply Chain Management in Agriculture
Enterprise Development and Planning
Agricultural Marketing and Market Analysis
Research Methods in Agribusiness
Trade Negotiation and Regional Integration
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 Trade and Trade Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers trade theory, comparative advantage, trade patterns, agricultural trade, commodity trade, and managing agribusiness trade.
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.
Trade Policy and Regional Integration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines trade policy analysis, trade negotiations, EAC trade, COMESA trade, AfCFTA, regional markets, and managing trade policy.
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.
Agricultural Marketing and Market Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines market analysis, marketing strategy, commodity marketing, brand management, export marketing, and managing agricultural marketing.
Enterprise Development and Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers enterprise creation, business planning, innovation, startup management, feasibility analysis, and managing agricultural enterprises.
Trade Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines trade negotiation, dispute resolution, trade agreements, trade compliance, trade facilitation, and managing trade negotiations.
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 management and trade 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 agricultural trade and development, covering trade theory, trade policy, regional trade, market access, and managing agribusiness trade.
Agribusiness Finance
Covers agribusiness finance, covering agricultural credit, investment analysis, financial planning, risk financing, and managing agribusiness finance.
Supply Chain Management
Focuses on agricultural supply chain management, covering supply chain design, logistics, distribution, inventory management, and managing agricultural supply chains.
Agricultural Marketing
Examines agricultural marketing, covering market analysis, marketing strategy, commodity marketing, brand management, and managing agricultural marketing.
Enterprise Development
Covers enterprise development, covering enterprise creation, business planning, innovation, startup management, and managing agricultural enterprises.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Agribusiness Management and Trade programme combines lectures, case studies, field visits, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover agribusiness management, agricultural trade, trade policy, farm business development, and supply chain management. Agribusiness management sessions examine business strategy, operations management, enterprise management, strategic planning, and managing agribusiness. Agricultural trade sessions cover trade theory, trade policy, regional trade, market access, trade agreements, and managing agribusiness trade. Trade policy sessions cover trade policy analysis, trade negotiations, trade regulations, trade disputes, and managing trade policy. 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. Enterprise development sessions cover enterprise creation, business planning, innovation, startup management, and managing agricultural enterprises. Agricultural marketing sessions cover market analysis, marketing strategy, commodity marketing, and managing agricultural marketing. Regional integration sessions cover EAC trade, COMESA trade, AfCFTA, regional markets, and managing regional trade. 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, trade organisations, agricultural markets, and supply chains. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in agribusiness and trade. Guest lectures from experienced agribusiness managers, trade experts, and agricultural entrepreneurs provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on an agribusiness management and trade topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for agribusiness and trade professionals with growing agricultural commercialisation, regional integration (EAC, AfCFTA), and export opportunities in Kenya.
Programme combines agribusiness management with trade, providing versatile skills for both business and trade sectors.
KU offers competitive fees at KES 130,000/year for East Africans.
Programme is offered by two public universities (KU, Egerton), providing institutional choice.

Against it

Egerton fees are higher at approximately KES 172,150/year.
No private university confirmed offering this specific programme, limiting options.
Programme requires agriculture or related background, which may limit access for non-agricultural graduates.
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

Public189k to 326k

189k at Egerton University326k at Kenyatta 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

KU 326.4K/yr; Egerton FOA ~188.7K/yr. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. The TAGDev programme at Egerton provides full-board scholarships for eligible agribusiness students. WTO and other international organisations may provide training support for trade professionals.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Bursary
TAGDev Scholarship (Egerton)

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.
TAGDev Scholarship (Egerton)
ScholarshipKsh 500,000Kenyan
TAGDev programme at Egerton provides full-board scholarships covering tuition, research, accommodation, and stipend for eligible agribusiness students.

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 agribusiness, agricultural economics, 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 trade, trade policy, farm business development, and supply chain management.
Field Project Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Practical assessment through field projects, enterprise feasibility studies, trade analysis projects, and demonstrating agribusiness and trade skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an agribusiness management and trade 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 and Egerton University (both public) offer MSc in Agribusiness Management and Trade. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in agribusiness management and trade. Graduates are eligible for KAM agribusiness certification and WTO trade policy certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University and Egerton University (both public) offer MSc in Agribusiness Management and Trade. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in agribusiness management and trade. Graduates are eligible for KAM agribusiness certification and WTO trade policy 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.
Trade Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses agricultural trade, overseeing trade data analysis, market research, trade policy analysis, and managing trade analysis.
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 and trade matters, overseeing enterprise advisory, feasibility studies, trade advisory, and managing agricultural consulting.
Agribusiness Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches agribusiness management and trade 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, trade analysis, and managing enterprise data.
Stata
Software
Stata statistical software for agribusiness research, covering data analysis, econometric modelling, trade analysis, 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 management and trade is just about farming.
Agribusiness management and trade covers comprehensive business including trade, marketing, finance, supply chain management, and enterprise development beyond just farming.
This programme is only for those from farming backgrounds.
Agribusiness management and trade skills are valuable for anyone interested in agricultural business, trade, supply chain, finance, and enterprise management.
Agricultural trade is the same as general trade.
Agricultural trade requires specialised knowledge of commodity markets, seasonal production, trade policies, food safety standards, and regional trade agreements specific to agriculture.
Agribusiness trade has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing agricultural commercialisation, regional integration (EAC, AfCFTA), and export opportunities, demand for agribusiness trade professionals is increasing in Kenya.
Trade policy is only for government officials.
Trade policy knowledge is valuable for agribusiness managers, exporters, importers, consultants, and anyone involved in agricultural trade.
Farm business development is just about growing crops.
Farm business development covers comprehensive planning, investment, financial management, risk management, and enterprise management for farm businesses.