Agriculture

Master of Science in Agricultural Commodities Value Chain Management

The Master of Science in Agricultural Commodities Value Chain Management is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in agricultural value chain analysis, commodity marketing, and supply chain optimisation. The programme combines agricultural economics with value chain management and commodity trade application.

Core areas include value chain analysis, commodity marketing, agricultural supply chain management, agricultural trade, commodity pricing, post-harvest management, agribusiness management, market research, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both economic theory and practical value chain analysis through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Egerton University and JKUAT as public institutions, and Kenyatta University as a public institution. Programmes are offered over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in value chain analysis, commodity marketing, supply chain management, agricultural trade, commodity pricing, post-harvest management, agribusiness management, market research, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, fieldwork, and a research thesis.

KU charges approximately KES 120,000/year for agribusiness programmes. JKUAT charges approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total) for agriculture master's programmes. Egerton charges approximately KES 143,000–182,000/year for master's programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in agriculture, agribusiness, economics, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as value chain analysts, agribusiness managers, commodity traders, supply chain managers, agricultural consultants, and lecturers in agribusiness across agricultural organisations, commodity exchanges, food processing companies, government agencies, and universities.

Skills Required

Agricultural Value Chain Analysis and Mapping
Commodity Marketing and Market Analysis
Agricultural Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Agricultural Trade and International Markets
Commodity Pricing and Price Risk Management
Post-Harvest Management and Quality Control
Agribusiness Management and Enterprise Development
Market Research and Feasibility Analysis
Research Methods in Agricultural Economics
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Agricultural Value Chain Analysis and Mapping
Commodity Marketing and Market Analysis
Agricultural Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Agricultural Trade and International Markets
Commodity Pricing and Price Risk Management
Post-Harvest Management and Quality Control
Agribusiness Management and Enterprise Development
Market Research and Feasibility Analysis
Research Methods in Agricultural Economics
Thesis Research

Certifications

KALRO Agricultural Certification
AGMARK Commodity Certification

Specializations

Commodity Marketing

Focuses on commodity marketing, covering market analysis, commodity trading, price discovery, market information systems, and managing commodity marketing.

Supply Chain Management

Examines agricultural supply chain management, covering logistics, procurement, distribution, cold chain, and managing agricultural supply chains.

Agricultural Trade

Covers agricultural trade, covering international trade, trade policy, regional markets, export management, and managing agricultural trade.

Post-Harvest Management

Focuses on post-harvest management, covering post-harvest losses, storage, processing, quality standards, and managing post-harvest systems.

Agribusiness Enterprise Development

Examines agribusiness enterprise development, covering business planning, investment analysis, entrepreneurship, and managing agribusiness enterprises.

Commodity Risk Management

Covers commodity risk management, covering price risk, weather risk, insurance, hedging, futures, and managing commodity risk.

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

Agricultural Value Chain Analysis and Mapping
Commodity Marketing and Market Analysis
Agricultural Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Agricultural Trade and International Markets
Commodity Pricing and Price Risk Management
Post-Harvest Management and Quality Control
Agribusiness Management and Enterprise Development
Market Research and Feasibility Analysis
Research Methods in Agricultural Economics
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Agricultural Value Chain Analysis and Mapping
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines value chain mapping, actor analysis, governance, upgrading strategies, value distribution, and managing value chains.
Commodity Marketing and Market Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers market analysis, commodity trading, price discovery, market information systems, and managing commodity marketing.
Research Methods in Agricultural Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, field methods, and conducting agricultural economics research, preparing students for their thesis.
Agricultural Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines logistics, procurement, distribution, cold chain, inventory management, and managing agricultural supply chains.
Agricultural Trade and International Markets
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers international trade, trade policy, regional markets, export management, WTO, EAC, and managing agricultural trade.
Commodity Pricing and Price Risk Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines price formation, price risk, futures, options, hedging, derivatives, and managing commodity pricing.
Post-Harvest Management and Quality Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers post-harvest losses, storage, processing, packaging, quality standards, food safety, and managing post-harvest systems.
Agribusiness Management and Enterprise Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines business planning, investment analysis, financial management, entrepreneurship, and managing agribusiness enterprises.
Market Research and Feasibility Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers market surveys, consumer analysis, feasibility studies, data collection, analysis, and managing market research.
Commodity Risk Management and Insurance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines price risk, weather risk, crop insurance, livestock insurance, hedging, and managing commodity risk.
Agricultural Policy and Regulatory Framework
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agricultural policy, regulatory frameworks, food safety, standards, trade regulations, and managing agricultural policy.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an agricultural value chain topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and value chain knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Commodity Marketing
Focuses on commodity marketing, covering market analysis, commodity trading, price discovery, market information systems, and managing commodity marketing.
Supply Chain Management
Examines agricultural supply chain management, covering logistics, procurement, distribution, cold chain, and managing agricultural supply chains.
Agricultural Trade
Covers agricultural trade, covering international trade, trade policy, regional markets, export management, and managing agricultural trade.
Post-Harvest Management
Focuses on post-harvest management, covering post-harvest losses, storage, processing, quality standards, and managing post-harvest systems.
Agribusiness Enterprise Development
Examines agribusiness enterprise development, covering business planning, investment analysis, entrepreneurship, and managing agribusiness enterprises.
Commodity Risk Management
Covers commodity risk management, covering price risk, weather risk, insurance, hedging, futures, and managing commodity risk.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Agricultural Commodities Value Chain Management programme combines lectures, case study workshops, fieldwork, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover value chain analysis, commodity marketing, supply chain management, agricultural trade, and post-harvest management. Value chain analysis sessions examine value chain mapping, actor analysis, governance, upgrading strategies, and managing value chains. Commodity marketing sessions cover market analysis, commodity trading, price discovery, market information, and managing commodity marketing. Supply chain management sessions cover logistics, procurement, distribution, cold chain, inventory, and managing agricultural supply chains. Agricultural trade sessions cover international trade, trade policy, regional markets, export management, WTO, and managing agricultural trade. Commodity pricing sessions cover price formation, price risk, futures, options, hedging, and managing commodity pricing. Post-harvest management sessions cover post-harvest losses, storage, processing, packaging, quality standards, and managing post-harvest systems. Agribusiness management sessions cover business planning, investment analysis, financial management, entrepreneurship, and managing agribusiness. Market research sessions cover market surveys, consumer analysis, feasibility studies, data collection, and managing market research. Commodity risk management sessions cover price risk, weather risk, insurance, hedging, derivatives, and managing commodity risk. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Case study workshops provide hands-on experience with real-world value chain analysis, market assessment, and business planning. Fieldwork provides hands-on experience with farm visits, market surveys, processing facilities, and value chain actor interviews. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in agricultural value chains. Guest lectures from experienced agribusiness professionals, commodity traders, and value chain experts provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on an agricultural value chain topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for value chain professionals with growing agricultural commercialisation, regional trade, food processing, and commodity markets in Kenya.
Programme offered by three public universities (Egerton, JKUAT, KU), providing institutional choice with different fee levels.
KU offers competitive fees at approximately KES 120,000/year for agribusiness programmes.
Programme combines economics, business, logistics, and agriculture, providing versatile interdisciplinary skills.

Against it

JKUAT fees are higher at approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total) for agriculture master's programmes.
The exact programme name may vary across institutions, potentially causing confusion for prospective students.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires agriculture, agribusiness, or economics background, which limits access for non-related graduates.

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

Public179k to 326k

179k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology326k 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

JKUAT 357K/2=178.5K/yr; KU 326.4K/yr. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. KALRO and agricultural research organisations may provide research support. Some agribusiness companies and development organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Bursary
KALRO Research 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.
KALRO Research Support
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
KALRO and partner organisations may provide research support for agricultural and value chain professionals.

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, economics, or related fields. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Some universities accept graduates from any field with relevant prerequisites. 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, field reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering value chain analysis, commodity marketing, supply chain management, and agricultural trade.
Fieldwork and Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through fieldwork exercises, value chain mapping, market surveys, business plans, and demonstrating value chain skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an agricultural value chain topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and value chain knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Egerton University, JKUAT, and Kenyatta University (all public) offer MSc in Agribusiness Management or related agricultural economics programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in agricultural value chain management. Graduates are eligible for KALRO agricultural certification and AGMARK commodity certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Egerton University, JKUAT, and Kenyatta University (all public) offer MSc in Agribusiness Management or related agricultural economics programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in agricultural value chain management. Graduates are eligible for KALRO agricultural certification and AGMARK commodity certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Value Chain Analyst
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts value chain analysis, overseeing chain mapping, actor analysis, upgrading strategies, and managing value chain research.
Agribusiness Manager
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages agribusiness operations, overseeing production, marketing, finance, supply chain, and managing agribusiness.
Commodity Trader
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Trades agricultural commodities, overseeing market analysis, price risk, trading strategies, and managing commodity trading.
Supply Chain Manager
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages agricultural supply chains, overseeing logistics, procurement, distribution, inventory, and managing supply chain operations.
Agricultural Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Provides agricultural consulting, overseeing value chain assessment, market analysis, business planning, and managing 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

Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Microsoft Excel for value chain analysis, covering data analysis, financial modelling, cost-benefit analysis, and managing value chain data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering market research data, survey analysis, and managing research data.
R
Software
R for statistical analysis, covering data analysis, econometrics, price analysis, and managing research data.
SAP
Software
SAP for supply chain management, covering procurement, inventory, logistics, and managing agricultural supply chains.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Value chain management is just about moving products.
Value chain management covers comprehensive value chain analysis, actor mapping, governance, upgrading, market analysis, and risk management beyond just logistics.
This programme is only for those from farming backgrounds.
Value chain skills are valuable for business, economics, trade, logistics, processing, and policy professionals working in agricultural sectors.
Agricultural commodities have limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing agricultural commercialisation, regional trade, food processing, and commodity markets, demand for value chain professionals is high in Kenya.
Commodity trading is just about buying and selling.
Commodity trading covers comprehensive price analysis, risk management, futures, options, hedging, and market information systems.
Post-harvest management is just about storage.
Post-harvest management covers comprehensive handling, storage, processing, packaging, quality standards, and loss reduction.
Agricultural trade is just about exporting.
Agricultural trade covers comprehensive international trade, trade policy, regional integration, import management, and trade facilitation.