Science

Master of Science Pomology

The Master of Science in Pomology is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates to become specialists in fruit science, fruit crop production, and orchard management. The programme prepares graduates to conduct research, develop improved fruit production technologies, and contribute to the horticulture sector in Kenya and beyond.

Core areas of study include tropical and subtropical fruit production, temperate fruit production, fruit crop breeding, propagation and nursery management, canopy management, fruit crop nutrition, post-harvest technology, biotechnology of fruit crops, organic fruit culture, and climate change effects on fruit crops. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications in pomology and fruit science.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with Maseno University as a college. Kirinyaga University is located in Kirinyaga County, a major fruit-growing region in Kenya. MMUST offers plant science programmes through its School of Natural Sciences. The programme is designed for agriculture and horticulture graduates seeking to advance their expertise in fruit science.

Students develop competencies in fruit crop production, orchard management, fruit breeding, propagation techniques, post-harvest handling, pest and disease management, nursery management, biotechnology applications, and pomology research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory sessions, field practicals, research projects, examinations, and a research thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes. Students typically complete coursework in the first year and focus on research and thesis in the second year. Field practicals take place at university farms, research stations, and commercial orchards. The programme is designed for agriculture professionals, researchers, and graduates seeking to advance fruit production knowledge.

Graduates pursue careers as pomologists, horticulture researchers, orchard managers, nursery operators, agricultural extension officers, fruit crop consultants, and agricultural educators in research institutions, universities, government, agribusiness, and international agricultural organisations.

Skills Required

Fruit Crop Production and Orchard Management
Fruit Crop Breeding and Genetics
Propagation and Nursery Management
Post-Harvest Technology for Fruits
Pest and Disease Management in Fruit Crops
Canopy Management and Training Systems
Fruit Crop Nutrition and Fertigation
Biotechnology Applications in Pomology
Climate-Smart Fruit Production
Pomology Research and Experimental Design

Key Subjects

Tropical Fruit Production
Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production
Fruit Crop Breeding and Genetics
Propagation and Nursery Management
Canopy Management in Fruit Crops
Fruit Crop Nutrition and Fertigation
Post-Harvest Technology for Fruits
Biotechnology of Fruit Crops
Organic Fruit Culture
Climate Change and Fruit Crops

Certifications

ISHS Pomology Certification
KEPHIS Plant Health Certification

Specializations

Tropical Fruit Production

Focuses on tropical fruit crops including mango, banana, papaya, citrus, pineapple, and avocado, covering production technologies, orchard management, and post-harvest handling.

Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production

Examines subtropical and temperate fruit crops including apples, pears, grapes, berries, and stone fruits, covering production in highland and temperate environments.

Fruit Crop Breeding

Covers fruit crop breeding, genetic improvement, developing new varieties, rootstock breeding, and applying biotechnology to fruit crop improvement.

Post-Harvest Technology

Focuses on post-harvest handling, storage, processing, value addition, and reducing post-harvest losses in fruit crops.

Organic Fruit Production

Examines organic fruit production, organic orchard management, biological pest control, organic certification, and sustainable fruit production practices.

Nursery Management and Propagation

Covers fruit crop propagation, nursery management, grafting and budding techniques, tissue culture, and commercial nursery operations.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 149,300
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Tropical Fruit Production
Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production
Fruit Crop Breeding and Genetics
Propagation and Nursery Management
Canopy Management in Fruit Crops
Fruit Crop Nutrition and Fertigation
Post-Harvest Technology for Fruits
Biotechnology of Fruit Crops
Organic Fruit Culture
Climate Change and Fruit Crops

Modules

12 in the programme

Tropical Fruit Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines tropical fruit crop production including mango, banana, papaya, citrus, pineapple, and avocado, covering production technologies, orchard establishment, and management practices.
Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers subtropical and temperate fruit crops including apples, pears, grapes, berries, and stone fruits, covering production in highland and temperate environments.
Fruit Crop Breeding and Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines fruit crop breeding, genetic improvement, developing new varieties, rootstock breeding, and applying genetic principles to fruit crop improvement.
Propagation and Nursery Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers fruit crop propagation, grafting and budding techniques, layering, tissue culture, nursery establishment, and commercial nursery management.
Canopy Management in Fruit Crops
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines canopy management, training and pruning systems, tree architecture, light management, and optimising canopy structure for fruit production.
Fruit Crop Nutrition and Fertigation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers fruit crop nutrition, fertiliser management, fertigation systems, soil fertility, and optimising nutrient management for fruit production.
Post-Harvest Technology for Fruits
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines post-harvest handling, storage, ripening, processing, value addition, and reducing post-harvest losses in fruit crops.
Biotechnology of Fruit Crops
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers biotechnology applications in pomology, tissue culture, molecular markers, genetic engineering, and applying biotechnology to fruit crop improvement.
Organic Fruit Culture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines organic fruit production, organic orchard management, biological pest control, composting, organic certification, and sustainable fruit production.
Research Methods and Experimental Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for agricultural science, experimental design, statistical analysis, and conducting pomology research.
Climate Change and Fruit Crops
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines climate change impacts on fruit production, climate-smart fruit cultivation, adaptation strategies, and building resilience in fruit production systems.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a pomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and fruit science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Tropical Fruit Production
Focuses on tropical fruit crops including mango, banana, papaya, citrus, pineapple, and avocado, covering production technologies, orchard management, and post-harvest handling.
Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production
Examines subtropical and temperate fruit crops including apples, pears, grapes, berries, and stone fruits, covering production in highland and temperate environments.
Fruit Crop Breeding
Covers fruit crop breeding, genetic improvement, developing new varieties, rootstock breeding, and applying biotechnology to fruit crop improvement.
Post-Harvest Technology
Focuses on post-harvest handling, storage, processing, value addition, and reducing post-harvest losses in fruit crops.
Organic Fruit Production
Examines organic fruit production, organic orchard management, biological pest control, organic certification, and sustainable fruit production practices.
Nursery Management and Propagation
Covers fruit crop propagation, nursery management, grafting and budding techniques, tissue culture, and commercial nursery operations.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Pomology programme begins with morning lectures on tropical fruit production, fruit crop breeding, or post-harvest technology. Students engage in theoretical discussions on fruit crop physiology, breeding strategies, and production technologies. Laboratory sessions involve tissue culture, fruit quality analysis, post-harvest assessment, and pest identification. Field practicals take students to university farms, research stations, and commercial orchards where they observe and practice grafting, pruning, canopy management, irrigation, and fertigation. Propagation sessions cover grafting, budding, layering, and tissue culture techniques for fruit crop multiplication. Breeding sessions examine fruit crop genetics, developing new varieties, and rootstock selection. Post-harvest sessions cover fruit handling, storage, ripening, processing, and value addition. Pest and disease management sessions cover integrated pest management for fruit crops, biological control, and disease resistance. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering experimental design, statistical analysis, and scientific writing. Seminars feature guest lectures from KALRO researchers, commercial orchard managers, and extension officers sharing practical experiences. Students develop their thesis proposals, conducting literature reviews and designing field experiments. The programme at Kirinyaga University benefits from proximity to major fruit-growing areas in Kirinyaga County. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis defence.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's growing horticulture sector and export market for fruits create high demand for pomology specialists in research, agribusiness, and extension.
Kirinyaga University is located in a major fruit-growing region, providing excellent opportunities for field practicals and research.
Programme covers diverse fruit crops from tropical to temperate, providing comprehensive fruit science knowledge applicable across Kenya's varied agro-ecological zones.
Strong research collaboration opportunities with KALRO, KEPHIS, and international horticulture organisations.

Against it

Specific fee structures for the listed universities could not be independently verified, making cost comparison difficult.
Pomology is a specialised field with limited awareness, potentially restricting career options to horticulture-specific roles.
Programme may be offered as a specialisation within broader horticulture or plant science programmes at some institutions, rather than as a standalone degree.
Only three universities offer this programme, limiting geographic access and choice for prospective students.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public149k to 149k

149k at Kirinyaga University149k at Kirinyaga 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

Kirinyaga ~149K/yr kyu.ac.ke (tuition 120K+fees). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KALRO provides research grants for agricultural research. FAO offers agricultural fellowships for horticulture development in developing countries. The programme's agricultural focus attracts research council and international organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KALRO Research Grants
FAO Agricultural Fellowships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate agricultural studies at recognised universities.
KALRO Research Grants
GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan
KALRO provides research grants for agricultural research in Kenya, supporting postgraduate research in fruit crop science.
FAO Agricultural Fellowships
FellowshipKsh 500,000
FAO offers agricultural fellowships for horticulture development in developing countries, supporting postgraduate research in fruit production.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for agriculture and horticulture graduates seeking to advance their expertise in fruit science. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time study modes. Field practicals at university farms, research stations, and commercial orchards provide hands-on experience in fruit production.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field practical reports, and class participation throughout the programme.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering fruit production, breeding, post-harvest technology, and pomology topics, conducted at end of each semester.
Field Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of field practical skills, including grafting, pruning, nursery management, and orchard operations, with practical examination and field report.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a pomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and fruit science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate agricultural science training. KALRO and KEPHIS provide additional professional standards for fruit crop research and plant health in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate agricultural science training.
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Professional accreditation
KEPHIS regulates plant health in Kenya. Graduates working in nursery management or plant health may require KEPHIS certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Pomologist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts fruit crop research, developing improved varieties, production technologies, and post-harvest methods in research institutions and universities.
Horticulture Researcher
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts horticultural research focusing on fruit crops, studying production, breeding, and post-harvest in research institutions and universities.
Orchard Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages commercial fruit orchards, overseeing production, irrigation, pest management, harvesting, and ensuring optimal fruit quality and yield.
Agricultural Extension Officer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides agricultural extension services to fruit farmers, transferring technology, advising on production practices, and supporting horticulture development.
Nursery Operator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000
Operates commercial fruit nursery, producing grafted fruit seedlings, managing nursery operations, and supplying planting materials to farmers.
Fruit Crop Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides consulting services to fruit growers and agribusinesses, advising on orchard establishment, production, pest management, and post-harvest handling.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as pomologists, horticulture researchers, orchard managers, and agricultural extension officers in research institutions, agribusiness, and government.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for agricultural research, analysing field trial data, and conducting quantitative pomology research.
R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing environment for agricultural data analysis, experimental design, and data visualisation in pomology research.
GIS Mapping Tools
Software
Geographic information systems for mapping fruit-growing areas, analysing agro-ecological suitability, and planning orchard establishment.
Drip Irrigation Systems
Equipment
Drip irrigation and fertigation systems for fruit crop production, managing water and nutrient delivery in orchards.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Pomology is just about growing fruits.
Pomology is the scientific study of fruit crops, encompassing breeding, genetics, physiology, biotechnology, post-harvest science, and orchard management, far beyond simple fruit growing.
A career in pomology has limited prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's growing horticulture sector, export market for fruits, and food security needs create high demand for pomology specialists in research, agribusiness, and extension.
Pomology is only for those from farming backgrounds.
The programme is designed for any agriculture or horticulture graduate, with career paths in research, extension, agribusiness, and academia, not just farming.
Fruit production is becoming less important with industrialisation.
Growing demand for fruits, export opportunities, nutritional awareness, and food security concerns make fruit production increasingly important in Kenya and globally.
This programme is the same as general horticulture.
Pomology specifically focuses on fruit crops, while general horticulture covers vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants in addition to fruits.
Traditional fruit growing knowledge is sufficient, no need for formal training.
Modern fruit production requires scientific knowledge of breeding, biotechnology, post-harvest technology, and climate-smart practices to improve productivity, quality, and sustainability.