Agriculture

Master of Science in Plant Protection

The Master of Science in Plant Protection is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in crop protection, plant pathology, pest management, and integrated pest and disease management. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in crop protection, plant health advisory, pesticide management, and agricultural research.

Core areas include plant protection, plant pathology, agricultural entomology, pest management, disease management, integrated pest and disease management, pesticide science, weed science, biological control, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical plant protection applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with University of Eldoret as a college. UoN offers related MSc Crop Protection at KES 84,000/year and MSc Plant Pathology at KES 384,000/year. Egerton offers MSc Crop Protection. Chuka offers MSc Crop Protection. MMUST offers MSc Crop Protection.

Students develop competencies in disease diagnosis, pest identification, IPM implementation, pesticide management, biological control, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, field experiments, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. UoN MSc Crop Protection annual fees are KES 84,000. UoN MSc Plant Pathology annual fees are KES 384,000. Egerton offers MSc Crop Protection with 2-year duration. Entry requires Bachelor's degree in agriculture, botany, or related fields with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as crop protection officers, plant pathologists, entomologists, extension officers, and lecturers in agricultural organisations, government, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Plant Disease Diagnosis and Management
Agricultural Entomology and Pest Control
Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM)
Pesticide Science and Safe Use
Biological Control and Biopesticides
Weed Science and Weed Management
Plant Pathology and Pathogen Biology
Crop Protection Advisory and Extension
Pesticide Resistance Management
Plant Protection Research Methods

Key Subjects

Plant Protection
Plant Pathology
Agricultural Entomology
Integrated Pest and Disease Management
Pesticide Science
Weed Science
Biological Control
Crop Protection Advisory
Pesticide Resistance Management
Plant Protection Research Methods

Certifications

PCPB Pesticide Safety Certification
KEPHIS Plant Health Certification

Specializations

Plant Pathology

Focuses on plant diseases, fungal pathogens, bacterial pathogens, viral pathogens, nematodes, disease diagnosis, disease management, and understanding and managing plant diseases.

Agricultural Entomology

Examines agricultural entomology, insect pests, pest identification, pest ecology, biological control, chemical control, and managing insect pests in crops.

Pesticide Science

Covers pesticide science, pesticide chemistry, pesticide toxicology, pesticide formulation, pesticide application, pesticide safety, and understanding and managing pesticides.

Biological Control

Focuses on biological control, natural enemies, parasitoids, predators, pathogens, biopesticides, microbial pesticides, and using biological control for pest management.

Weed Science

Examines weed science, weed biology, weed ecology, weed identification, herbicides, weed management, and managing weeds in crops.

Integrated Pest and Disease Management

Covers IPDM principles, pest scouting, disease monitoring, economic thresholds, integration of control methods, resistance management, and integrating pest and disease management strategies.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 178,500
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, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Plant Protection
Plant Pathology
Agricultural Entomology
Integrated Pest and Disease Management
Pesticide Science
Weed Science
Biological Control
Crop Protection Advisory
Pesticide Resistance Management
Plant Protection Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Plant Pathology and Disease Diagnosis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines plant diseases, fungal pathogens, bacterial pathogens, viral pathogens, nematodes, disease diagnosis, pathogen biology, disease cycles, and understanding and managing plant diseases.
Agricultural Entomology and Pest Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agricultural entomology, insect pests, pest identification, pest ecology, insect biology, insect taxonomy, and managing insect pests in crops.
Integrated Pest and Disease Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines IPDM principles, pest scouting, disease monitoring, economic thresholds, biological control, cultural control, chemical control, host plant resistance, and integrating pest and disease management strategies.
Pesticide Science and Safe Use
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers pesticide chemistry, pesticide toxicology, pesticide formulation, pesticide application, pesticide safety, PCPB regulations, pesticide resistance, and understanding and managing pesticides.
Biological Control and Biopesticides
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines natural enemies, parasitoids, predators, pathogens, biopesticides, Bt, fungal biopesticides, viral biopesticides, microbial control, and using biological control for pest management.
Weed Science and Weed Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers weed biology, weed ecology, weed identification, herbicides, weed management, weed competition, allelopathy, and managing weeds in crops.
Plant Disease Management and Control
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines disease forecasting, disease control, fungicides, bactericides, resistance breeding, cultural practices, biological control, disease resistance, and managing plant diseases.
Pest Control Strategies and Implementation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers pest control strategies, chemical control, biological control, cultural control, mating disruption, pheromones, traps, pest scouting, and managing insect pests.
Postharvest Pest and Disease Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines postharvest pests, postharvest diseases, stored product pests, grain storage, mycotoxins, fumigation, and managing pests and diseases after harvest.
Plant Protection Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for plant protection, experimental design, field and laboratory methods, data analysis, statistical methods, and conducting plant protection research, preparing students for their thesis.
Climate Change and Plant Health
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines climate change impacts on plant health, pest range expansion, disease emergence, climate-smart pest management, and adapting plant protection to climate change.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a plant protection topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant protection knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Plant Pathology
Focuses on plant diseases, fungal pathogens, bacterial pathogens, viral pathogens, nematodes, disease diagnosis, disease management, and understanding and managing plant diseases.
Agricultural Entomology
Examines agricultural entomology, insect pests, pest identification, pest ecology, biological control, chemical control, and managing insect pests in crops.
Pesticide Science
Covers pesticide science, pesticide chemistry, pesticide toxicology, pesticide formulation, pesticide application, pesticide safety, and understanding and managing pesticides.
Biological Control
Focuses on biological control, natural enemies, parasitoids, predators, pathogens, biopesticides, microbial pesticides, and using biological control for pest management.
Weed Science
Examines weed science, weed biology, weed ecology, weed identification, herbicides, weed management, and managing weeds in crops.
Integrated Pest and Disease Management
Covers IPDM principles, pest scouting, disease monitoring, economic thresholds, integration of control methods, resistance management, and integrating pest and disease management strategies.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Plant Protection programme begins with morning lectures on plant pathology, entomology, or pest management. Students engage in theoretical discussions on plant diseases, pest ecology, and management strategies. Plant pathology sessions cover plant diseases, fungal pathogens, bacterial pathogens, viral pathogens, nematodes, disease diagnosis, pathogen biology, disease cycles, and understanding and managing plant diseases. Entomology sessions examine agricultural entomology, insect pests, pest identification, pest ecology, insect biology, insect taxonomy, and managing insect pests in crops. IPDM sessions cover IPM principles, pest scouting, disease monitoring, economic thresholds, biological control, cultural control, chemical control, host plant resistance, and integrating pest and disease management strategies. Pesticide science sessions examine pesticide chemistry, pesticide toxicology, pesticide formulation, pesticide application, pesticide safety, PCPB regulations, and understanding and managing pesticides. Biological control sessions cover natural enemies, parasitoids, predators, pathogens, biopesticides, Bt, fungal biopesticides, viral biopesticides, and using biological control for pest management. Weed science sessions examine weed biology, weed ecology, weed identification, herbicides, weed management, weed competition, and managing weeds in crops. Disease management sessions cover disease forecasting, disease control, fungicides, resistance breeding, cultural practices, and managing plant diseases. Pest management sessions examine pest control strategies, chemical control, biological control, cultural control, mating disruption, pheromones, and managing insect pests. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with pathogen isolation, culture, identification, pest identification, disease diagnosis, bioassays, and pesticide analysis. Field experiments provide hands-on experience with disease assessment, pest scouting, IPM implementation, and crop protection trials. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering plant protection research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from UoN faculty, KALRO researchers, KEPHIS officials, icipe scientists, PCPB officials, and international crop protection experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's agricultural sector, food security needs, export requirements, pest invasions, and pesticide regulation create high demand for qualified plant protection professionals.
UoN offers MSc Crop Protection at KES 84,000/year, providing affordable and accessible training with open and distance learning options.
Career opportunities with KEPHIS, KALRO, icipe, PCPB, MoA, agricultural companies, research institutions, and international organisations like FAO and IPPC.
Programme addresses Kenya's food security, crop protection, export compliance, pesticide safety, and sustainable agriculture needs.

Against it

Programme requires agriculture, botany, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Laboratory work requires access to plant pathology laboratories, insectaries, and diagnostic equipment, which may be limited.
Strathmore fees at KES 150,000 per semester (~KES 300,000/year) are relatively expensive compared to public universities.
Programme involves handling pesticides and pathogens, requiring safety training and precautions.

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

Public151k to 179k

151k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology179k at Kirinyaga University

Private105k to 300k

105k 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

MMUST ~150K/yr (2018), KeMU ~105K/yr. Kirinyaga, Strathmore unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KALRO supports agricultural research including crop protection. icipe supports pest management research. FAO supports plant protection and food security. The programme's plant protection focus attracts agricultural, regulatory, and international funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KALRO Research Funding
FAO Plant Protection Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate plant protection studies at recognised universities.
KALRO Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
KALRO supports agricultural research including crop protection and pest management, providing funding for postgraduate research in plant protection.
icipe Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
icipe supports insect science and pest management research in Africa, providing funding for postgraduate research in pest management and crop protection.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from agriculture, botany, environmental science, forestry, crop protection, horticulture, plant science, crop science, and related fields. UoN requires Bachelor's degree in relevant field with Upper Second or Lower with experience. Egerton requires Upper Second or Lower with 2 years experience. Two-year programme with full-time, part-time, and open and distance learning modes.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field reports, disease diagnosis projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering plant pathology, entomology, IPM, pesticide science, and weed science, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, pathogen isolation, pest identification, disease diagnosis, field experiments, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a plant protection topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant protection knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). UoN offers related MSc Crop Protection at KES 84,000/year and MSc Plant Pathology at KES 384,000/year. Egerton offers MSc Crop Protection. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate plant protection training. KEPHIS regulates plant health in Kenya, PCPB regulates pest control products, and KALRO supports crop protection research.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers related MSc Crop Protection at KES 84,000/year and MSc Plant Pathology at KES 384,000/year. Egerton offers MSc Crop Protection. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate plant protection training.
Pest Control Products Board (PCPB)
Professional accreditation
PCPB regulates pest control products in Kenya. Graduates working with pesticides may benefit from PCPB knowledge and pesticide safety certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Crop Protection Officer
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides crop protection services, overseeing pest management, disease control, IPM implementation, and supporting crop protection in the field.
Plant Pathologist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts plant pathology research and diagnosis, overseeing disease identification, pathogen studies, disease management, and supporting plant health.
Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts entomology research, overseeing pest identification, pest ecology studies, biological control, and supporting pest management.
Extension Officer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides agricultural extension services, overseeing crop protection advisory, pest management training, technology transfer, and supporting farmers.
Pesticide Safety Officer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages pesticide safety programmes, overseeing pesticide regulation, safety training, compliance, and supporting pesticide safety and regulation.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches plant protection in universities, conducting research and training future plant protection professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as crop protection officers, plant pathologists, and entomologists in agricultural organisations, government, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

GENSTAT
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for plant protection research data analysis, field trial analysis, disease data, pest data, and statistical modelling in crop protection research.
R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing for plant protection data, disease epidemiology, pest ecology, experimental analysis, and research data analysis.
EPPO Global Database
Software
Database of plant pests, plant diseases, quarantine pests, pest distribution, host plants, and accessing pest and disease information for plant protection.
CABI Crop Protection Compendium
Software
Compendium of crop protection information, pest datasheets, disease datasheets, control measures, and accessing crop protection information.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Plant protection is just about spraying pesticides.
The programme involves plant pathology, entomology, IPM, biological control, weed science, pesticide science, and research, covering comprehensive plant protection.
This programme is only for agriculture graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from agriculture, botany, environmental science, forestry, crop protection, and related fields.
There is limited demand for plant protection professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's agricultural sector, food security needs, export requirements, pest invasions, and pesticide regulation create high demand for qualified plant protection professionals.
Biological control is ineffective compared to chemical control.
Biological control is a proven, sustainable pest management approach that reduces pesticide use and environmental impact when properly implemented.
Plant protection is only relevant for large-scale farming.
Plant protection is relevant for all farming scales including smallholder farms, horticulture, greenhouse production, and post-harvest protection.
A master's in plant protection is redundant after a bachelor's in agriculture.
The master's provides specialised plant protection skills, research capability, and career progression to senior crop protection and research positions.