The department of Agricultural Science and Technology was established in 2007 under the School of agriculture and Enterprise development and offers degrees leading to Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. The mission of the department is to train and produce scientists equipped with knowledge and multi-disciplinary research skills necessary for devising innovative and practical solutions to multiple and complex challenges in agricultural resources management and in dryland ecosystems. The main objectives of the department are to train and equip students with knowledge and skills to enable them identify, address, evaluate and advise confidently on the contemporary issues and challenges affecting agricultural development. In this regard, we intend to produce broad and focused cadre of competent and dependable managers in animal resource, land, water and soil fertility; trainers in secondary, university and other institutions of higher learning; and researchers in agricultural resources management. Of late there is demand of this cadre in the banking industry.
Teaching Resources
• Science laboratories are available in the department or related departments.
• Internet facilities are available for research, communication and accessing online information resources.
• Teaching methods include lectures, powerpoint presentations, practicals and field work.
• Resources are also sourced from other institutions where Memorandum of understanding has been signed, for example, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
Staff and staff development
The department has a team of experienced full time staff who have competencies in training and research in the following broad areas;
• Soil fertility management,
• Plant Breeding and crop improvement
• Crop Protection
• Crop Production and Horticulture
• Agricultural resources management,
• Agricultural modelling,
• Agro-forestry, Irrigation and Water harvesting management
• Biometry and Research methodologies
Currently the department has a team of well-trained and qualified staff ranging from Lecturer to full Professor all with PhDs.
Research Science and Technology:
Research areas mainly focus on the management of Soil fertility, Soil management, Dryland management, Agro-forestry, Livestock production and fish farming under the current Economic Stimulus Programme. There is also interest in nutrient and crop modeling, and Organic matter management.
LIST OF PROGRAMMES IN THE DEPARTMENT
B.Sc. Programmes
- Bachelor Of Science In Dryland Agriculture And Enterprise Development.
- Bachelor Of Science In Agriculture
- Bachelor Of Science Agricultural Resource Management
- Bachelor Of Science Crop Improvement And Protection
- Bachelor of Science Agricultural Education and Extension
- Bachelor of Science Horticulture
Masters Programmes
- Master Of Science Crop Protection (Entomology Option)
- Master Of Science In Agronomy
- Master Of Science In Crop Protection (Plant Pathology Option)
- Master Of Science In Seed Science And Trade
- Master Of Science In Dryland Agriculture
- Master of Science Integrated Soil Fertility Management
- Master of Science Land & Water Management
- Master of Science Plant Breeding
- Master of Science Horticulture
PhD Programmes
1. PhD Agronomy
2. PhD Plant Breeding
3. PhD Plant Pathology
4. PhD Agricultural Entomology
5. PhD Seed Science & Trade
6. PhD Horticulture
7. PhD Soil Science
8. PhD Integrated Soil Fertility Management
9. PhD Dryland Agriculture
10. PhD Land and Water Management
- Prof. Waceke Wanjohi
- Prof. Fuchaka Waswa
- Prof. Jayne Mugwe Njeri
- Prof. Maina Mwangi
- Prof. Joseph P Onyango Gweyi
- Prof. Ruth Kahuthia Gathu
- Prof. Wilson Thagana
- Dr. Benjamin O. Danga
- Dr. Mukiri Wa Githendu
- Dr. Harun Ireri Gitari
- Dr. Catherine Muui
- Dr. Nicholas Kibet Korir
- Dr. Everlyn Namikoye Samita
- Dr. Anne Njeri Karanja
- Dr. Sylvia Henga
- Dr. Mwende Ngie
- Dr. Erick Oduor Otieno
- Dr. Alex Muremi Fulano
- Dr. Elizabeth Wanjiku Mwaura
- Ms. Christine Nakhumicha Wanyonyi
The department places great importance to agricultural research and development in order to encourage growth of agriculture as the engine of growth of Kenya’s economic development. In this endeavor, efforts are made in development of proposals and applying for donor funds to carry out research that is crucial in generating technologies to improve agricultural production. These projects have also greatly contributed to capacity building in soil Science through training at post graduate level.
Dissemination activities are carried out to encourage clientele to adopt improved agricultural technologies. Staff and students work with smallholder farmers and other stakeholders in the development and dissemination of these technologies in various forums like farmer field days and workshops.
Research Areas
Academic members of staff carry out research activities covering the following broad areas
1. Soil fertility management
2. Animal production and health Management
3. Animal Nutrition and Feeding
4. Aquaculture and Fisheries
5. Agricultural resources management
6. Agricultural modeling
7. Agro-forestry, Irrigation and Water harvesting management
8. Biometry and Research methodologies
Table 1 shows a list of research projects implemented within the department.
|
Name of staff in Dept |
Title of Project |
Funding Agency, dates and amount |
Collaborators |
Students supported |
|
Prof Lucy Kabuage |
‘Promotion of meats value chain through improvement of Indigenous Chicken production and marketing in Makueni and Kakamega Counties’ |
KAPAP (2014 – 2015), KES 16,651,058 |
KU, University of Nairobi |
2 M.Sc. |
|
Prof Lucy Kabuage |
‘Enhancing Indigenous Chicken Value Chain for higher productivity and biosecure products in Makueni’ |
KAPAP (2011 – 2013), KES 7,162,890 |
KU, UoN |
2 M.Sc. |
|
Dr. Benjamin Danga |
Effects of Soil Properties and Organic Residues Management on C Sequestration, N Losses and Maize yield |
RUFORUM (2010 to 2013) -USD 60,000 |
Kenyatta University, RUFORUM Masinde Muliro University, KARI-Kabete |
2 M.Sc. |
|
Dr. Benjamin Danga |
2009 SHP 024 Masters Training in Integrated soil Fertility management |
AGRA (2009 to 2012) USD 715,697 |
AGRA, Kenyatta University, KARI, MoA, ICRAF |
15 M.Sc. (Regional students) |
|
Prof Benson Mochoge |
Improving Soil nutrients and Water management to increase crop yields for enhanced livelihoods of small scale farmers in Semi-arid eastern Kenya |
RUFORUM (2010 – 2012) USD 60000 |
RUFORUM, Kenyatta University, KARI, UoN |
2 M.Sc. |
|
Dr Jayne Mugwe |
CONNEcting knowledge, scales and actors; An integrated framework for adaptive organic resource management, targeting soil aggradation and agroecosystems’ resilience in SSA |
NACOSTI- ERAFRICA (2014 – 2017) ksh 7,920,697 |
University of Eldoret, University of Ouagadougou, Universität Hohenheim, Germany, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium |
One Ph D |
|
Dr Jayne Mugwe |
Scaling Up integrated Soil Fertility Management for Improved Livelihoods (NRM/2012/09) |
ASARECA (2013- 2014) USD 525,003 |
National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Uganda, Makerere University, EXCEL CONSULT, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Rwanda Agricultural Board |
One M.Sc. |
|
Dr Jayne Mugwe |
Scaling up soybean and climbing beans using a value chain approach in maize-based systems of central Highlands of Kenya (SHP 014) |
AGRA (2014 to 2017) US$ 549,645 |
KU, MoALF, Practical Action, Embu University College |
5 M.Sc. |
|
Prof Benson Mochoge |
Rainwater harvesting, use of manure and fertilizers in maize intercrop production on smallholder farms in semi-arid parts of Kenya |
NCST Ksh. 1.5M |
NCST, KU |
nil |
|
Dr. Jayne Mugwe |
Enhancing productivity and Market Development of soybeans and climbing beans in the central highland of Kenya |
AGRA (2010 to 2013) – 806,829 USD |
KU, KARI –Embu, Farm Concern International and Ministry of Agriculture |
5 M.Sc. |
|
Dr. Jayne Mugwe |
Accelerated Uptake and Utilization of Soil Fertility Management Best-Bets Practices in Eastern and Central Africa Sub-Region |
ASARECA (2009 to 2011) – USD 577,000 |
Kenya (KU and TSBF), Uganda (NARO), Tanzania (ARI) |
3 M.Sc. |
|
Dr. Jayne Mugwe |
Enhancing farmers’ benefits from integrated soil fertility management through improved water use efficiency and better marketing strategies in the highlands of central Kenya” |
VLIR (2008 to 2013) Euro 309,998.58 |
KU, KEFRI and KARI, TSBF |
6 (2 PhD and 4 M.Sc.) |
|
Dr. Jayne Mugwe |
Enhancing crop productivity through soil-water conservation and integrated drought prediction and preparedness techniques in the drier zones of Central Highlands of Kenya |
RUFORUM (2012 to 2013) -USD 60,000 |
KU and TSBF |
2 M.Sc. |
|
Dr. Isaac Osuga |
Growth performance of goats supplemented with indigenous browse forage mixtures in marginal areas of Kenya |
NCST USD 12,500 |
KU |
- |
|
Dr. Isaac Osuga |
Enhancing the productivity of crop and livestock production in Mandera County, Kenya |
NCST USD 62,500 |
KU, MoLD, MoA |
- |
|
Dr. Jayne Mugwe |
Unravelling beneficial impact of Nitrogen, carbon and water dynamics in mulch-based systems on crop productivity in heterogeneous biophysical environment of the Central Kenyan highlands |
International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) – USD 53,012 |
Kenyatta University, TSBF, MoA, KADI |
One PhD and M.Sc. |
AST Field Attachment Report Writing Guidelines 2019
Efforts are made to foster linkages with other stakeholders in an effort to raise our visibility. The networking has also helped in sharing and learning from one another. Table 2 shows some key Institutions we are partnering with.
|
Institution |
Type of Linkage |
|
Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Programme of CIAT (TSBF) |
Collaborator in our projects, Also involved in co supervision of postgraduate students |
|
Funded three projects sponsoring 6 M.Sc. students |
|
|
National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) |
Funded a project that supported M.Sc. Training for one student |
|
Hosting students in research projects and students in Integrated Soil Fertility Management Visit their Laboratories for practicals and exposure |
|
|
Co-hosting research projects for two students |
|
|
Mobilizing stakeholders involved in research work |
|
|
Collaborators in projects with marketing component |
|
|
Field practical training in ISFM |
|
|
Research projects and developed a training programme involving students from Belgium, co supervision of students |
|
|
Research projects and developed a training programme involving students from Belgium, co supervision of students |
Community outreach programmes are key in agriculture for improving our understanding of the communities we serve especially the smallholder farmers of Kenya, and the threats they face. Community outreach means going beyond the university and is about teaching others and providing services to society as a whole rather than just our university fraternity. The department has partnered with organizations around us that are useful in promoting development as sharing and learning from one another. Examples of these are Brookside Dairies and smallholder farmers.
