Course Overview
Horticulture is the science and practice of producing horticultural crops. Horticultural crops are classified into the following divisions; Olericulture (growing of vegetables), pomology (growing of fruits), floriculture (growing of commercial flowers), plant propagation (production of tree seedlings) and landscape horticulture (design, installation and care of landscapes). Professionals in this field are known as horticulturists among other titles. Horticulturalists apply their horticultural skills and knowledge working directly with plants, overseeing various aspects of plant breeding, plant selection, planting process, care and production of all horticultural crops.
Some horticulturists are involved in growing and selling of food crops while others work with ornamentals plants to beautify our environment. Horticulturalists work in greenhouses, laboratories and may spend considerable time working outdoor under various weather patterns. In Kenya today, horticulture is a fast-growing and a major subsector of the agricultural industry. It plays a very big contribution to both large scale and small scale farmers towards; foreign exchange earnings, farm incomes, employment as well as production of food products for sustainable food security. The full potential of this field has not yet been realized. There is need to produce highly competent manpower with skills and knowledge that can drive this sector of the economy forward.
The Bachelor of Science in horticulture is a four year course which has been developed to equip students with skills and knowledge that can address the challenges faced by the horticultural industry in realizing its full potential. The broad objective of this programme is to train competent personnel with practical and theoretical skills in general horticulture who through marketing, research, extension and entrepreneurship will be able to increase production and use of horticultural and other related crops. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates of this course will contribute towards improving production of horticultural crops, enhancing marketing of horticultural crops as well as creating public awareness of aesthetic value of ornamental plants, in addition to setting up and running of private horticultural enterprises and grow the economy.
Entry requirement
For self sponsored students, at least a mean grade of C+ in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition have good performance in the following cluster Subjects; Subject 1 BIO, Subject 2 CHE, Subject 3 MAT A or PHY or GEO, Subject 4 ENG/KIS or 3rd GROUP II or a GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V.
Becoming a horticulturist
If you are passionate about farming and want to curve your niche within the horticultural field and start a career that can disrupt the horticultural farming experience in Kenya and beyond, then pursuing this course might be a good choice for you. In addition, you should be prepared to develop skills that can enable you grow and succeed in this profession.
Horticulturists have deep knowledge in horticultural science including; plant identification, plant cultivation, plant physiology, plant breeding among other areas. They also have good interpersonal skills that enable them work well with other employees. Those in self employment have good business acumen a skill that enable them have a competitive edge in their field. Horticulturists have good research and experimental skills as their work involve conducting experiments in the field as well as in labs.
These professionals also possess excellent mathematical skills especially statistics which they regularly use to analyze scientific data. They are effective communicators able to communicate effectively with other people in a variety of settings. Having good physical stamina in this field is important as professionals in this field perform physical labour during working hours. Innovation at the work place is also required to came up with better approaches is solving plant diseases among other horticultural challenges.
Work environment.
Horticulturalists may work in various environments such as greenhouses, laboratories, offices and may spend considerable time working outdoor under various weather patterns.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course can find work both in government or the private sector. They can find jobs in companies and government department dealing with; Horticultural production, post harvest handling and marketing, plant propagation, nursery production, horticultural marketing, agro chemical marketing companies, golf course management establishments, agro chemical marketing, family agribusinesses, landscape design and management companies, horticultural advisory services among other areas. Graduates can also start their own horticultural businesses.
You can explore these courses
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture & Landscaping Technology
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education & Extension