Agriculture

Master of Science in Seed Science & Technology

The Master of Science in Seed Science & Technology is a master's programme offered at Kenyan universities. This postgraduate degree prepares professionals for advanced practice and research careers in social sciences.

Duration: 1-2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 433,500
Private, up to: Ksh 195,000
Job market: Moderate

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: 12 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Research Methods
Statistical Analysis
Laboratory Techniques
Experimental Design
Data Analysis
Scientific Communication
Literature Review
Thesis Research
Computational Methods
Field Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Seed Biology, Physiology and Germination
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Seed biology, seed development, seed structure, seed chemistry, seed physiology, germination (imbibition, activation, growth), dormancy (types, breaking), seed vigour, seed longevity, and applying seed biology
Seed Production and Variety Maintenance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Seed production, variety maintenance, seed classes (breeder, foundation, certified), seed multiplication, isolation, roguing, off-type identification, seed production for maize, beans, sorghum, vegetables, Kenya's seed production, and applying seed production
Seed Testing and Quality Assessment
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Seed testing, purity analysis, germination testing, vigour testing (accelerated ageing, cold test, conductivity), moisture testing, seed health testing, ISTA rules, KEPHIS seed testing, and applying seed testing
Seed Processing, Treatment and Packaging
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Seed processing, seed cleaning (air-screen, gravity), grading, seed treatment (fungicide, insecticide, biological, priming), coating and pelleting, packaging, labelling, seed processing equipment, and applying seed processing
Seed Storage and Conservation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Seed storage, storage principles (temperature, humidity, moisture), storage pests, seed deterioration, seed longevity, genebank storage, GeRRI/KALRO, plant genetic resources conservation, and applying seed storage
Seed Certification and Quality Assurance
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Seed certification, certification process (field inspection, seed testing, labelling), KEPHIS, Seed and Plant Varieties Act, seed classes, DUS testing, QDS, COMESA harmonisation, Kenya's certification system, and applying seed certification
Seed Pathology and Health Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Seed pathology, seed-borne pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses), seed health testing (blotter, agar, washing, serology, PCR), seed treatment for disease control, Kenya's seed-borne diseases, quarantine, and applying seed pathology
Seed Industry Management and Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Seed industry, seed companies (Kenya Seed, Simlaw, private), seed marketing, seed demand forecasting, seed policy, Seed and Plant Varieties Act, COMESA harmonisation, Kenya's seed industry, and applying seed industry management
Research Methods, Bioethics and Scientific Communication
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods, experimental design, statistics, bioethics, seed trade regulations, scientific writing, grant writing, and preparing for the thesis
Thesis
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Original research on a seed science and technology topic such as effect of storage conditions on germination and vigour of maize hybrid seeds in Kenya's tropical climate, evaluation of seed treatment fungicides for control of seed-borne pathogens in bean seeds produced in Nakuru County, quality assessment of certified and farm-saved maize seed in smallholder farming systems of western Kenya, or optimisation of seed production protocols for sorghum hybrids under different isolation distances and planting ratios at KALRO

Specialisations

Seed Testing and Quality Assurance
Focus on seed testing, purity analysis, germination testing, vigour testing, ISTA rules, KEPHIS, Kenya's seed testing, and developing seed quality assurance programmes
Seed Production and Variety Maintenance
Specialisation in seed production, hybrid seed production, variety maintenance, seed multiplication, Kenya Seed Company, and developing seed production programmes
Seed Certification and Regulation
Focus on seed certification, field inspection, KEPHIS, Seed and Plant Varieties Act, COMESA harmonisation, Kenya's certification, and developing seed certification programmes
Seed Industry Management and Marketing
Focus on seed industry, seed companies, seed marketing, seed demand, seed policy, Kenya's seed industry, COMESA, and developing seed industry management programmes
Seed Pathology and Health Management
Specialisation in seed-borne pathogens, seed health testing, seed treatment, quarantine, Kenya's seed-borne diseases, and developing seed health programmes

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting laboratory experiments, analysing data using specialised software, attending research seminars, reviewing scientific literature, and meeting with supervisors to discuss experimental results and thesis progress.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's seed industry is one of the most developed in Africa — Kenya Seed Company is the largest in East Africa, with many private seed companies, creating demand for seed science and technology expertise
Kenya's seed quality challenges create demand for expertise — fake and adulterated seed, storage losses, and quality assurance needs create strong demand for seed science graduates at KEPHIS and seed companies

Against it

Limited number of seed companies in Kenya — while Kenya has a relatively developed seed industry, the number of seed companies is still limited, restricting career options compared to larger agricultural economies
Seasonal nature of seed production — seed production and testing are seasonal, tied to planting and harvesting cycles, which can create periods of intense work and periods of lower activity

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

Private119k to 195k

119k at Mount Kenya University195k at Kabarak 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 (FoA). Rongo, MKU, Kabarak unverified

NACOSTI, NRF, and DAAD offer research grants. ICIPE and KEMRI provide research affiliation. HELB offers postgraduate loans.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes
National Research Fund
Grant
Postgraduate researchers in Kenyan institutions
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
Postgraduate researchers in STEM fields

Scholarships

5 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies.
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
FullKsh 6,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Leadership; Community service
RUFORUM Research Grant
GrantKsh 1,500,000
African; Agricultural research; Academic merit; Research proposal
DAAD Agriculture Scholarship
FullKsh 4,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Agriculture/seed science programme
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: Second Upper Division (2.1) or equivalent
Alternative entry: Bachelor's in related field with experience in seed science, seed production, or seed quality. Professional experience with KEPHIS, Kenya Seed Company, private seed companies, or KALRO can support application.

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Plant Science, Botany, Agronomy, Horticulture, or related agricultural science field from a recognised university
2.1 or higher
Agriculture or plant science background with seed science and technology interest
demonstrated in bachelor's
Experience in seed production, seed testing, crop production, or agricultural research
preferred
English proficiency (international applicants)
IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90+

How you are assessed

4 components

Thesis
Research30% of the mark
Original research on a seed science and technology topic examined by oral defence
Laboratory and Field Projects
Project30% of the mark
Seed testing project, seed production exercise, seed processing practical, storage study, seed health testing, and seminar presentation
Industry Attachment and Seminars
Cat15% of the mark
KEPHIS/Kenya Seed Company/private seed company attachment assessment, laboratory report, field inspection report, research seminar presentations, and seed science exercise
End of Semester Examinations
Exam25% of the mark
Formal written examinations covering seed biology/physiology/germination, seed production/variety maintenance, seed testing/quality assessment, seed processing/treatment/packaging, seed storage/conservation, seed certification/quality assurance, seed pathology/health management, seed industry management/policy, and research methods/bioethics

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Scientific research programmes are regulated under NACOSTI guidelines.

Accredited by

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
Professional
Regulates seed certification, testing, and quality in Kenya.
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Seed Production Manager
Medium demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages seed production operations, oversees seed multiplication, ensures isolation and quality, and works at Kenya Seed Company, private seed companies, or KALRO in Kenya
Seed Technologist
Medium demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts seed testing, evaluates seed quality, manages seed processing, and works at KEPHIS, Kenya Seed Company, private seed companies, or research institutions in Kenya
Seed Quality Manager
Medium demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 420,000
Manages seed quality assurance, oversees seed testing, ensures certification compliance, and works at Kenya Seed Company, private seed companies, or KEPHIS in Kenya
Seed Certification Officer
Medium demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 380,000
Conducts field inspection, seed testing, certification, and works at KEPHIS or seed regulatory agencies in Kenya
University Lecturer
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches seed science and technology, conducts research, supervises students, and works at universities in Kenya

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as research scientists, laboratory managers, data analysts, quality assurance officers, and science educators in Kenya's scientific and industrial sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Related courses

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