As its name suggests, the Bukura Agriculture College (BAC) is one of the leading agricultural colleges and perhaps the oldest college in this niche to be founded in Kenya. The college was established in 1974 in Sigalagala, Butere, a part of Kakamega County in western Kenya. In 1992, BAC achieved a significant milestone: the year it became an official state corporation under the Act, Cap. 348 of 1999. Also, the same year, the college started admitting students who wanted to pursue diploma courses in agriculture in addition to the previous certificate courses.
The college grew from the former Bukura Institute in 1974 under the Ministry of Agriculture with the mandate of offering certificate courses in Agriculture. Today, BAC operates as a State Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, positioning itself as a crucial institution in Kenya’s agricultural education landscape. This is particularly significant considering that agriculture is key to Kenya’s economy, contributing 33 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and another 27 per cent of GDP indirectly through linkages with other sectors. The sector employs more than 40 per cent of the total population and more than 70 per cent of Kenya’s rural people.
Today, BAC offers many courses, from certificates and diplomas to short courses. The college’s mandate is to provide Agricultural Training through the integration of Research and Extension, ensuring graduates are equipped with theoretical and practical knowledge. If you are looking to join BAC in 2025, then you need to know the courses on offer. In this guide, we will walk you through all that you need to know. So make sure to read to the end.
Bukura Agricultural College Courses and Fees
The Bukura College offers several courses that take several semesters to complete. Most certificate courses will require 2 to 4 semesters, diploma courses take only 5 to 6 semesters to complete, and short courses take at most 3 months.
So, which courses are offered at Bukura College? Below, we have listed all the courses offered in 2025 and their tuition fees in Kenyan shillings.
Two-Year Training Opportunities
| Program | Entry Requirements | Career Opportunities | Annual Fees (KSH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Agricultural Irrigation and Drainage Engineering | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) OR Certificate in Agriculture or related field from a recognized institution | Government and Public sector organizations, Agribusiness firms, Food processing and retail industry, Research organizations and laboratories, Government and NGOs | 123,300 |
| Diploma in Agribusiness Management and Marketing | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) OR Certificate in Agriculture or related field from a recognized institution | Agricultural input companies, Agro-industries, Food processing industries, Food Marketing, International agricultural trade, Agricultural services, Financial institutions, Development organizations, Government and NGOs | 123,300 |
| Diploma in Horticulture | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) OR Certificate in Agriculture or related field from a recognized institution | Production and Sales, Public Gardens, Landscape Construction and Management, Landscape Design, Pest Management, Government and NGOs | 123,300 |
| Diploma in Agriculture and Biotechnology | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) OR Certificate in Agriculture or related field from a recognized institution | Extension agents, Farm managers, Agro-based industry managers, Food manufacturers, Agricultural companies, Agricultural research organizations, Government and NGOs | 123,300 |
| Diploma in Agriculture, Human Ecology and Consumer Science | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) OR Certificate in Agriculture or related field from a recognized institution | Government and NGOs, Food processing and retail industry, Food manufacturers, Agricultural companies, Agricultural research organizations | 123,300 |
| Diploma in Animal Production and Health Management | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) OR Certificate in Agriculture or related field from a recognized institution | Livestock producers, Farm managers, Livestock extension agents, Livestock-based industry managers, Government and NGOs | 123,300 |
| Diploma in Agricultural Extension and Community Development | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) OR Certificate in Agriculture or related field from a recognized institution | Agricultural CBOs and NGOs, Farm managers, Food manufacturers, Agricultural companies, Agricultural research organizations, Agricultural finance institutions | 123,300 |
| Diploma in Farm Business Management | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) or its equivalent OR Certificate in Agriculture or related field from a recognized institution | Farm management, Agricultural input companies, Agro-industries, Food processing industries, Food Marketing, International agricultural trade, Agricultural services, Financial institutions, Development organizations, Government and NGOs | 123,300 |
Two and a half Year Programs
| Program | Entry Requirements | Career Opportunities | Annual Fees (KSH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma In Agricultural Education And Extension (TSC Approved) | K.C.S.E mean grade of C+ (Plus) or its equivalent with C+ (Plus) in Biology and Agriculture, and C (Plain) in Mathematics and C (plain) in English. NB: MUST have done Agriculture and Biology at O ” Level | Agriculture and Biology teachers, Extension agents, Farm managers, Research organizations, Agro based industries | 153,750 |
| Diploma In Education Biology And Home Science (TSC Approved) | K.C.S.E mean grade of C+ (Plus) or its equivalent with C+ (Plus) in Biology and Home Science, and C (Plain) in Mathematics and C (plain) in English. NB: MUST have done Home Science and Biology at O ” Level | Home Science and Biology teachers, Extension agents, Food industries, Research organizations | 152,750 |
| Diploma in Animal Health (KVB Approved) | K.C.S.E mean grade C (Plain) or its equivalent with C(Plain) in Biology/Biological Sciences, C- (Minus) in Chemistry, C- (Minus) in Mathematics or Agriculture OR – Certificate in Animal Health and Production/Animal Health and Range Management OR – Credit pass in 2-year Certificate in Agriculture/Animal Production / Animal Husbandry/ Range Management/ Wildlife Health / Dairy Technology OR – KACE with a Principal Pass in Biology and a subsidiary pass in Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics OR – Division II in KCE/EACE & at least Credit in Biology/Biological Science, Chemistry or Physical Sciences and Credit in either Mathematics, Physics or Agriculture OR – Diploma in Biomedical discipline recognized by KNQA OR – Any other qualification equivalent to the above from institutions recognized by the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) | Paravets, Livestock producers, Farm managers, Livestock extension agents, Livestock-based industry managers, Government and NGOs | 208,000 |
| Diploma in Information Communication Technology | KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) or its equivalent OR Certificate in ICT from a recognized institution | Technology sector, Agricultural ICT solutions, Data management roles, Digital agriculture platforms | 169,660 |
One and a half Year Half Year Programmes
| Program | Entry Requirements | Career Opportunities | Annual Fees (KSH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate In Agriculture And Community Development | KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) or its equivalent | Large and small scale agribusiness farms organizations, Research organisations, Agro based industries, Government and NGOs | 85,800 |
What are the qualifications for Bukura courses?
The admission process to Bukura College is only based on merit, meaning that only applicants who have met the eligibility criteria will be admitted. The eligibility criteria vary from one course to another, and we strongly advise to check all the courses listed on the Programmes tab on the portal. Below are some general application criteria applicable to all courses on offer:
You should have sat for the KCSE exams and scored the following Mean grades:
- D plain for certificate courses
- C- Minus for Diploma courses
- C+ Plus for TSC-approved teaching programs
- Short courses can require you to have a KCPE or KCSE certificate
- If upgrading, a relevant certificate or diploma in the related field is needed
All applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of Ksh 500 (Applicable to only SSP students).
Bukura College Admissions Portal: How To Apply
BAC is a public institution that also accepts admissions from privately sponsored students and KUCCPS students. Below are the various ways to Join the college.
Government-sponsored student
If you fall in this category, you are directly placed at Bukura College by applying using the KUCCPS Portal. But then, if you are placed in this highly esteemed college, you must ensure that you have your Bukura College admissions letter before you officially visit the school on the day of admission.
To get your KUCCPS admission letter, follow the process below:
- Visit BAC’s official admission portal website at http://admissions.bukuracollege.ac.ke/
- On the website homepage, click “Create account” and follow the process to activate your account. Check your email for further instructions
- Next, return to the portal homepage and click on the “Admission letter” tab. You will be redirected to a new tab. Here, proceed to enter your KCSE index number in the format 2950000000/2021, answer the Security stamp field, and proceed to log in to get your letter of offer
Self-sponsored student (SSP)
A self-sponsored student is an applicant who applies to join the college directly by applying through the college website for consideration. While doing so, it is essential to note that you have to meet the various course requirements. At the same time, make sure that you have the following documents scanned and ready for uploading: A passport photo, National ID (if you are above 18 years), Birth certificate (for those below 18 years), Passport (For non-Kenyans), and your relevant academic certificates.
The process for making your application is as follows:
- Visit the BAC admission portal using the link provided earlier and proceed with the registration process; otherwise, log into your account.
- Proceed and click on the “Self Sponsored” Application link. Alternatively, you can directly use http://admissions.bukuracollege.ac.ke/ssp/login-register
- Proceed and fill in the information as required and also upload all the documents. Ensure all the information you provide matches those on the uploaded documents.
- When done, proceed to submit your application. Immediately, you will receive an email confirming you have submitted successfully, along with the application ID so that you can follow up on the status of your application.
If you are accepted to the college, ensure you get and download your admissions letter by following the process we discussed earlier. However, for SSP, use the link https://admissions.bukuracollege.ac.ke/ssp/admission-letter
Financial Planning and Payment Options
Understanding the fee structure is crucial for financial planning. The fees listed above are annual fees, and it’s important to budget for the complete program duration. For two-year diploma programs, students should budget for at least KSH 246,600 for most programs, while specialized programs like Animal Health require KSH 416,000 over the 2.5-year duration.
Students should also factor in additional costs such as:
- Accommodation (if required)
- Meals and personal expenses
- Laboratory fees and practical training costs
- Field trip and industrial attachment expenses
- Academic materials and textbooks
Bukura College Contacts
For immediate assistance:
- Address: Sigalagala, Butere Rd, Bukura
- Phone: +254 020 350 5479
- Email: principal@bukuracollege.ac.ke
- Website: https://bukuracollege.ac.ke/
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bukura Agricultural College offers a comprehensive range of agricultural courses, ensuring everyone is represented regarding career choice. The college’s 50-year history, combined with its status as a state corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, positions it as a premier institution for agricultural education in Kenya.
If you have any questions requiring our assistance, we encourage you to ask them in the comments section below.
All the Best!
