Last updated on July 27th, 2023 at 03:46 pm
Below we list degree courses in agriculture you can take in Kenya and their requirements
Degree courses in agriculture in Kenya
#1- Agronomy
Agronomy is a branch of agricultural science.
Essentially, it is the study of crops and the soil in which they grow.
Regarding work, agronomists work to develop methods that improve the use of soil as well as increase the production of food and fiber crops.
Key skills and interests required to pursue a career in this field
- Interest in Agriculture
- Enjoy nature and working outdoor
- Scientific Interest
- Good aptitude for Biology
- Ability to communicate ideas clearly, both in speech and writing.
- Good Interpersonal skills
- Team spirits
- Practical and adaptable
- Enthusiastic and responsible
- Patience and perseverance
What the Job/Career/profession Entails
Duties in Agronomy vary from Job to Job. Typically Duties of an Agronomist may include the following:-
- Advising farmers on the best farming practice
- Work with researchers to learn about the latest methods of controlling plants diseases and weeds
- Participating in knowledge transfer and training activities, soil testing, and other agronomy-related activities.
Entry Requirements |
||
| Level | programmes | Subject Requirements |
| Degree | · Genomic Sciences
· Agricultural Biotechnology · Agriculture · Agronomy · Crop Improvement and Protection · Environmental Horticulture and Landscaping · Horticultural science and Management · Seed science and technology · Sugar and Agro-processing Technology · Agroforestry and Rural Development · Dry land and Agriculture · Enterprise Development |
1. MAT
2. Best In group II 3. Best in group III 4. Second best in group II/III/IV/V |
| Diploma | · Agriculture
· Agriculture and Biotechnology · Horticulture · Sugar Agronomy |
Mean Grade (C-)
BIO (D+) |
| Craft | · Agriculture
· General Agriculture and sustainable Agriculture |
Mean grade(Plain) |
Career prospects for Agronomy graduates
Craft certificate holders
- Sales or Technical Preventative
- Plant Breeder
- Soil Conservationist
Diploma holders
- Soil conservationist
- Crop Specialist
- Soil scientist
- Fertilizer sales Representative
- Farm Supplier preventatives
- Farmer or farm manager
Degree holders
- University Extension Education or Specialist
- Plant Geneticist
- Soil Surveyor
- Agronomist or crop consultant
- Field or Lab Researcher
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#2- Agriculture Economics
Agricultural economics is one of the least-known degree courses in agriculture in Kenya (people do not really seem to understand it)..
Well, here is what you need to know about it:
Now, professionals in Agricultural economics apply economic factors or capital, labour, land and management in the Agricultural industry.
These professionals choose farming as an occupation either in crops or animals husbandry.
Most often, they use machinery and human labour for large and small scale farming respectively (Sometimes they do a blend of the two).
Other elements that apply in agriculture economics include the following:
- Factor of production
- Methods of cultivation
- Manuring
- Marketing
- Soil conservation.
In short, an agriculture economist recommends the best combination of factors of production to those engaged in agriculture to help them maximize returns (harvest).
Key skills and interests required to pursue a career in this field
- Interest in Agriculture and environmental science
- Interest in Economics
- Interest in working with farming communities
- High mathematical, analytic and scientific aptitude.
- Creative and thorough
- Problem solving skills
- Effective communication skills
What the job/career/professional entails
An agriculture economist does the following:-
- Studies and analyses aspects that influence the agriculture economy and distribution of resources such as land, raw materials, labour and machinery.
- Advise farmers/agricultural companies on issues such as financing, marketing, agriculture development, research and production.
- Analyzes results of research studies and then reports and package them in clear, concise language that is easy to understand for readers who are non-economists.
Entry Requirements |
||
| Level | programmes | Subject Requirements |
| Degree | · Agriculture Economics
· Agribusiness management · Agriculture resource management |
1. MAT(C)
2. BIO(C+) 3. PHY/CHEM 4. Third Best in Group II or Best in Group III/IV/V |
| Diploma | · Agribusiness management
· Entrepreneurial Agriculture |
Mean Grade (C-)
|
| Craft | · Entrepreneurial Agriculture | Mean grade(D Plain) |
| Artisan | · Agribusiness | Mean Grade (E) |
Career prospects for those who pursue Agricultural economics
Craft level
- Farmer
Diploma level
- Commodities Trader
- Loan Officer
- Credit Analyst
- Agriculture Project Planner
Degree level
- Agriculture Economist
- Economist
- Farmland Portfolio Analyst
- Natural resource specialist
- Agricultural Extension Specialist
ALSO READ: High school subjects in Kenya [Full list and groups]
#3- Agriculture Education
Professional in Agriculture education specializes in the teaching of agriculture and natural resources / land management.
This field prepares you for a career Agricultural education- you’ll be teaching farmers about best practices as well as being their consultant whenever they have challenges.
Key skills and interests required to pursue a career in this field
- Effective communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Persuasion skills
- Keen Interest and knowledge of farming and environmental issues
- Enjoy working outdoor
- Decision-making-skills
- Risk taking attitude
What the job/career/professional entails
- Teaching in a variety of subjects such as horticulture animal and plant science, agricultural chemicals, and agricultural technology
- Mediating between researchers and farmers
- Ensuring that appropriate knowledge is implemented to obtain the best results with regard to sustainable production and general farming development.
Entry Requirements |
||
| Level | programmes | Subject Requirements |
| Degree | · Agriculture Education and Extension
· Agricultural education · Agricultural and Human Ecology Extension · Agriculture and Enterprise Development |
1. BIO(C+)
2. MATH/PHY/GEO 3. ENG/KIS/Third Best in Group II or Best in Group III/IV/V |
| Diploma | · Agriculture Education and Extension
· Agricultural Extension and Community Development |
Mean Grade (C-)
BIO (D+)
|
Career prospects in Agriculture Education
Diploma level
- Sales Representative
- High school Agricultural Teacher
- Writer/Author
- Agriculture extension Educator/officer
- Agriculture Project Planner
Degree level
- Teacher
- Lecturer
- Field Officer
- Consultant
#4- Animal Health Science
Professional in animal health science engages in aspects of animal production and animal products.
They study a branch of agriculture concerned with the care and breeding of domestic animals. They work toward developing of better and more efficient way of producing and processing animal products such as meat, eggs and milk as well as curbing animal diseases.
They also study the genetics, nutrition reproduction, growth and development of domestic’s animals.
Key skills and interests required to pursue a career in this field
- Love and care for animals
- Physical stamina
- Effective communication skills
- Patience
- Respects
- Integrity
- Lifelong Learning skills
- Resilience
- Detail-Oriented
What the job/career/profession entails
- Identifies the courses of disease checks of livestock and poultry
- Develop appropriate preventive measures for diseases
- Carries out spot-on-disease check on livestock
- Generate and maintains animal health and technical reports.
Entry Requirements |
||
| Level | programs | Subject Requirements |
| Degree | · Animal Health production
· Animal Production and Health Management · Animal Science and Management · Dairy Technology and Management · Animal Health Management · Animal Product technology · Applied Animal Laboratory Science. |
1. BIO
2. CHEM 3. MATH/PHY/GEO 4. ENG/KIS/Third Best in Group II or Best in Group III/IV/V |
| Regulatory body requirement | Additional Requirements
1. BIO(C+) 2. MAT/PHY/ CHEM(C+) |
|
| Diploma | · Animal Production and Health Management | Mean Grade(C-)
1. BIO(C+) 2. MAT(D) 3. PHY/CHEM (D) 4. BIO/GEO/HSC/AGR/BST(C-)
|
Career prospects in Animal Health Science
Diploma level
- Animal Nutritionist
- Dairy Technologist
- Poultry Scientist
Degree level
- Veterinary Anatomist
- Veterinary Bacteriology
- Veterinary Epidemiologist
- Veterinary Parasitology’s
- Dairy Scientist
- Animal Scientist
- Veterinary Pathologist
- Veterinary Pharmacologist
#5- Fisheries
Professional who have studied fisheries engage in the production of fish and other aquatic resources to provide human food and obtain fish product such as fish oil.
There are also scientists (Biologists) who specialize in fisheries- these study the life, habits and breeding of various species of fish.
They also study fish farming and husbandry, as well as aquatic organism in fresh water, brackish (slightly salty) water and any other marine environment.
Finally, you can work as an aquatic scientist in this field- in this case you’ll study geology, composition and life forms in oceans, river, lakes and other water bodies.
Key skills and Interests required pursuing a career in this field
- High level of physical fitness
- Interest in Management and care of fish
- Interest in working outdoor
- Practical oriented
- Interpersonal skills
- Resource management skills
- Business skills
- Numeracy skills
- Flexibility
- Research and analytic skills
- Interest in travel
What career /job/profession entails
- Collect data on fish breeding and rearing for research and trade
- Manage and maintain fish habitats throughout the year
- Take care of stock health, environmental factors and migration of fish
- Feed the fish either manually or using automated system
- Engage in continuous learning and research
| Entry Requirements | ||
| Level | programmes | Subject Requirements |
| Degree | · Applied Aquatic science
· Aquatic Resource Conservation and development · Fisheries and Aquatic Management · Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Management · Fisheries and Oceanography. |
1. BIO(C+)
2. CHEM(C+) 3. MATH/PHY/GEO 4. ENG/KIS/Third Best in Group II or Best in Group III/IV/V |
| Diploma | · Fisheries
· Aquatic Science |
Mean Grade(C-)
|
| Craft | · Aquaculture
· Fisheries technology |
|
Career prospects in Fisheries
Craft
- Fish Farming
- Fish Exporter
- Fish Breeder
- Modern Fisher
Diploma
- Marine Biologist
- Aqua Culturist
Degree
- Marine Biotechnology Scientist
- Marine Scientist
Degree courses in agriculture in Kenya- Final words
While the article key theme is Degree courses in agriculture in Kenya, you may have noted that the above courses are also offered as a Diploma (and even at the craft certificate level in some cases).
I have indicated the entry requirements in each case to help you see where you can start depending on your KCSE grades.
As regards where to study, there are several universities offering agriculture courses in Kenya you can check out (JKUAT, Egerton, Karatina University, Embu University, Meru University, KU..etc).
Of all the above, Egerton is perhaps the best when it comes to agriculture university courses in Kenya.
Quick Note: You can even pursue Bachelor in Science in Agriculture at Egerton university if you cannot really decide on any other above course (the course opens up a range of opportunities because it’s multi-faceted from crop / animal production , agricultural research careers, careers in extension education/training all the way to marketing and self-employment).
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