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Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Information and Communication Management

The Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Information and Communication Management is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Agricultural Economics. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research on how agricultural information is generated, managed, communicated and utilised for agricultural development. The programme sits at the intersection of information science, communication studies and agricultural economics.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 464,000
Ksh 1,392,000 to Ksh 2,320,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 168,000
Ksh 504,000 to Ksh 840,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 464,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,392,000 to Ksh 2,320,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 168,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of Masters Degree or above, plus 1 subject grade. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, online, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

Students engage with advanced topics in agricultural information systems, knowledge management, ICT for agriculture, agricultural communication, data analytics for agriculture, research methods and policy analysis. The curriculum emphasises original research that improves how agricultural data and knowledge are shared among researchers, extension officers, farmers and policy makers.

Kenya's growing digital agriculture ecosystem, including mobile-based extension services, agricultural data platforms and ICT-for-development initiatives, creates demand for experts who can manage and communicate agricultural information effectively. The programme supports Kenya's digital transformation agenda and the modernisation of agricultural information systems.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, e-learning platforms and supervised research. The programme is offered through ODEL (Open, Distance and e-Learning) mode with written self-instruction study modules. Students attend periodic face-to-face sessions and complete coursework through online platforms. Annual fees at the University of Nairobi are approximately KSh 464,000.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, agricultural information specialists, knowledge management officers, ICT for agriculture researchers and agricultural communication consultants. They work in universities, KALRO, international research organisations, government ministries and agri-tech companies.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in agricultural economics, information science, communication or ICT who wish to contribute original research to agricultural information management.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Agricultural Information Systems
  • Knowledge Management
  • ICT for Agriculture
  • Agricultural Communication
  • Data Analytics for Agriculture
  • Research Methods
  • Agricultural Policy Analysis
  • Information Economics
  • Digital Extension Platforms
  • Agricultural Data Management

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Agricultural Information Systems

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Design and management of agricultural information systems, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.

  • Knowledge Management in Agriculture

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Managing and sharing agricultural knowledge across stakeholders, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.

  • ICT for Agricultural Development

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Digital tools and platforms for agricultural information, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.

  • Agricultural Communication Strategies

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Communication methods for agricultural information dissemination, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.

  • Data Analytics for Agriculture

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Statistical and computational methods for agricultural data, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.

  • Research Methods

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology for information studies, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research.

  • Departmental Seminars

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research presentations and peer review of doctoral work, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in.

  • Thesis Research

    Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore

    Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.

Specialisations

  • Agricultural Data Analytics

    Data science applied to agricultural information

  • Agricultural Knowledge Management

    Managing agricultural research knowledge

  • Digital Extension Platforms

    ICT-based agricultural advisory services

  • Agricultural Communication

    Communication strategies for agricultural development

A day as a student

A typical day involves analysing agricultural data sets, reviewing literature on ICT for agriculture, designing information systems for agricultural knowledge transfer, attending online seminars, meeting with supervisors to discuss thesis progress, and engaging with agri-tech companies and research organisations on research findings.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's digital agriculture ecosystem is growing rapidlyRequires competence in both technology and agricultural economics
ODEL mode offers flexibility for working professionalsLimited number of supervisors in this specialised field
Combines ICT skills with agricultural economicsODEL mode requires strong self-discipline and time management

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
Public367k to 464k
367k at Kenyatta University464k at University of Nairobi
Private150k to 168k
150k at Mount Kenya University168k at Kenya Methodist 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 464,000/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). KU 367,200/yr (ku.ac.ke). Private: KeMU 168,000, MKU 150,000/yr

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD-AERC offers scholarships for agricultural economics students. RUFORUM provides research grants for agricultural innovation at member universities.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD-AERC Scholarship

  • RUFORUM Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • DAAD-AERC Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Agricultural economics students at AERC network universities

  • RUFORUM Research Grant

    Grant

    Agricultural researchers at RUFORUM member universities

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Masters Degreeminimum entry
Alternative entry

Holder of relevant Masters degree from University of Nairobi or equivalent from institutions recognised by Senate. Must submit a research proposal.

Subject requirements
MSc in Agricultural Economics, Information Science, Communication or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Maseno University, Technical University of Kenya.

May 20273 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Maseno University, Technical University of Kenya.

September 20273 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Maseno University, Technical University of Kenya.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before departmental panel

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Online assignments, data analysis exercises and seminar presentations

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Agricultural Economics. The programme is offered in ODEL mode with e-learning platforms.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Agricultural Information Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Managing agricultural information systems at KALRO or government

  • Knowledge Management Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 320,000

    Managing knowledge systems at international research organisations

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in agricultural economics and information departments

  • ICT for Agriculture Researcher

    High demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Research on digital agriculture at research organisations and agri-tech firms

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, agricultural information specialists, knowledge management officers and ICT for agriculture researchers. They work in universities, KALRO, government and agri-tech companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Agricultural information management is just about databases.

    The field covers knowledge management, communication strategies, ICT for development and information economics.

  • There is no demand for agricultural information PhDs.

    Kenya's digital agriculture ecosystem and ICT-for-development initiatives create growing demand.

  • This is an IT degree, not an agriculture degree.

    The programme integrates information science with agricultural economics and development.

  • Agricultural communication is simple extension messaging.

    The field involves complex knowledge management, data analytics and multi-stakeholder communication strategies.

Further reading

Read next