Agriculture in Kenya plays a big role in creating self employment and generating income for the rural population. The sector contributes 27% of GDP in Kenya as well as more than 18% of wage employment and more than 50% of exports revenue. Horticulture alone contributes 11%, livestock production contributes 10% of GDP (of which 3% is realized from dairy sub-sector). However, there has been declining competence in the production, processing and marketing. Thus, there is need for highly qualified agricultural managers and administrators to provide the necessary policy environment and management acumen both at the public and private sector levels. This would ultimately sustain and expand production, value chain management for the local market, raw materials for the processing industry, and exports.
The Bachelor of Science degree program in Agricultural Economics and Rural development is therefore aimed at bringing about the realization of this potential, particularly in rural areas where we have bulk of the agricultural activities. The program aims to produce graduates with problem solving skills and apply them to up-scale agricultural productivity, value chain management and improve marketing of agricultural products on both small and large-scale farms. This will contribute towards improving the living conditions of people and creating wealth and prosperity by working either in the outdoors or in the business environment of agricultural and natural resource industry management/supervision aspects, such as human resources, finance, equipment and the environment.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
The broad objective of the program is to create and develop manpower with practical management knowledge and problem solving skills to improve and increase agricultural productivity, expand marketing processes and trade. The ultimate goal is to attain development in rural communities with sustainable balance of natural, and environmental resources and agricultural production systems.
2.2. Specific Objectives
At the end of the program the graduates should be able to:
(a) Demonstrate the importance of agriculture in the national economy with particular importance to its contribution to development among rural communities in Kenya.
(b) Integrate the contribution of environmental and natural resources to sustainable agriculture and rural development
(c) Apply the acquired knowledge and practical skills to up-scale agricultural productivity, supply chain management and improve marketing of agricultural products on both small and large-scale farms.
(d) Make use of the problem solving skills acquired to participate in creating a policy environment to sustain an integrated continuum of our agricultural systems from utilization of resources, production, processing and manufacturing, marketing and consumption of food products.
(e) Participate in international research, outreach programs and teaching in various aspects of agricultural economics and management. These activities inform our domestic efforts and enable us to address important problems and opportunities in Kenya’s food, agriculture and natural resource sectors.
(f) Promote environmental and natural resource conservation by encouraging and effecting policies and practices that minimize soil erosion and pollution.
3.0. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
3.1. A candidate wishing to be admitted into the Bachelor of Science degree programme in Agricultural Economics and Rural Development must satisfy the minimum University entry requirements and Faculty of Agriculture regulations.
3.2. In addition to the above, the candidate must have obtained a minimum aggregate mean of C+ (plus) and a C (plain) in each of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics Physics/Geography/Agriculture OR C (plain) in each of the following subjects: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics/Geography/Agriculture or any of the Group IV subjects at K.C.S.E. or an A Level equivalent.
3.3. Alternatively, admission shall be granted to holders of Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Health, Animal Production and Husbandry, Farm Management or other equivalent qualifications from institutions recognized by JKUAT (with credit and above) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology or from other institutions recognized by the University Senate. Such candidates shall enter the programme at the second year of study unless otherwise specified by the Faculty. Holders of a pass diploma with 2 years relevant experience may be admitted in 1st year of study.
4.0. UNITS
4.1. A student in the Bachelor of .Science degree programme in Agricultural Economics and Rural Development shall during his/her three or four years of study take a minimum of 16 compulsory units in each year. One unit is equivalent to 45 contact hours.
4.2. All students shall be required to undertake two practical attachments during the second and third years of study for a period of not less than eight (8) weeks each.
5.0. REGULATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
AGR.1 No candidate shall be admitted to the Faculty of Agriculture without satisfying the Minimum entry requirements of the university.
AGR. 2. Candidates must also satisfy faculty regulations and departmental requirements before registering for courses in any department.
AGR. 3. In addition to the AGR 1 and AGR 2 above the candidates are expected to:
(a) Have a minimum aggregate of C+ (Plus) in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and should have a minimum grade of C (plain) in each of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/Physics/Geography.
(b) Alternatively, admission may also be granted to candidates with a Diploma in Animal Health/Animal Husbandry or Production/Diploma in Agriculture and related disciplines from a recognized institution or its equivalent.
(c) Candidates admitted under AGR 3 (b) above with credit pass and above may be admitted into the second year of study, while those with pass will be admitted in into the first year of study.
(d) For candidates admitted under Joint Admission Board (JAB), JAB will fix cut-off points for each admission year.
ORDINARY EXAMINATIONS
AGR. 12
(a) All units shall be examined during the semester in which they are taken.
(b) The examination pass mark in each unit shall be 40 % of the total marks.
(c) No candidate shall be allowed to sit for examinations without attending at least two-thirds of the lectures and all practicals.
(d) The University examinations shall consist of papers each covering one unit during the semester. The time allowed shall be two hours per paper, except in drawing that shall be three hours.
(e) Continuous Assessment shall contribute 30% and written university examinations shall contribute 70% of the total marks, except where a course consists solely of practical work, it shall be assessed 100% by continuous assessment test, coursework and/or laboratory assignments. The weighting for continuous assessment in units that have practicals shall be as follows:
- 15% Practicals
- 5% Assignments
- 10% Test assessment
(f) Practical attachment shall be assessed and graded on pass or fail basis.
(g) A candidate who misses an examination without a valid reason shall be deemed to have failed the examination, and shall be awarded a score of zero in the specific examination.
AGR.13
(a) In order to proceed unconditionally to the second, third, and fourth year of study for the Bachelor of Science degrees in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Horticulture, and Animal Health, Production and Processing, Agricultural and Resource Economics, candidates must pass in all the required units.
(b) Candidates must pass in all the required units in the final year of study in order to qualify for the award of their respective degree, as specified in AGR. 22.
AGR.14
Each unit shall be graded out of 100% and the pass mark for each unit shall be 40% of the total marks. These marks shall be translated into literal grades as follows:
- 70% and above =A
- 60% and above but less than 70% =B
- 50% and above but less than 60% =C
- 40% and above but less than 50% =D
- Below 40% =, E (fail)
AGR. 15
(a) A candidate shall be permitted to sit supplementary examinations in failed units up to a maximum of five units in the Faculty of Agriculture, in any one year of study.
(b) Supplementary examinations shall normally be held at the end of the academic year during which the units have been taken.
(c) The maximum marks in supplementary examinations shall be 40% and shall not include continuous assessment marks.
(d) A candidate who fails a unit evaluated wholly by continuous assessments shall be required to carry out additional work for examination during the supplementary examination period.
SPECIAL EXAMINATIONS
AGR.16
(a) If though unavoidable circumstances such as bereavement or sickness candidate is unable to sit for one or more examination papers, or is unable to undertake essential parts of the work for the continuous assessment the candidate may, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Examiners and with the approval of the Senate, be permitted to take special examinations or undertake extra work for continuous assessment.
(b) Special examinations shall be graded out of 100% and shall include continuous assessment marks.