University Of Nairobi (uonbi) Faculty Of Agriculture

University Of Nairobi UoNBI Faculty Of Agriculture – Details:

BRIEF HISTORY OF FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

The Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Nairobi started in 1970/1971 with five departments namely agricultural economics, applied plant science, crop production, entomology and soil science. On its inception, 41 students joined the faculty to pursue B.Sc. Agriculture degree.The aim then was to train personnel who were broadly knowledgeable in most aspects of agricultural sciences namely soil, crop and animal production, crop protection, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, rural sociology and extension, range management and food science.In addition to these subjects, basic sciences such as physiology, biochemistry, mathematics, botany and zoology were taught. Farm practise was also a component of this programme.

More degree programes including; B.Sc. Food Science & Technology, B. Sc. Agricultural Engineering and B. Sc. Range Management were mounted. In the current decade, many others have been and continue to be developed in response to client needs.There are at least 8 undergarduate programmes which include: (1) BSc. Agriculture; (2) BSc. Food Science & Technology; (3) BSc. Food Nutrition & Dietetics; (4) BSc. Agribusiness Management; (5) BSc. Agricultural Education and Extension; (6) BSc. Range Management; (7) BSc. Management of Agroecosystem & Environment; and (8) BSc. Horticulture.Postgraduate studies include: 19 Master of science programes; namely: Agric economics, Applied Economics, Agriculture information & Communication management, Agricultural Resource Management, Range Management, Land and Water, Soil Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant breeding, Crop Protection, Plant Pathology, Seed Science and Technology, Applied Human Nutrition, Food Science & Technology, Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Animal Genetics and Breeding, Livestock production Systems and Poultry Sciences. In addition the faculty offers PhD programmes in line with the masters programes.

The programmes are housed in 5 departments; namely: The Plant Science & Crop Protection (PS&CP), Land Agricultural Resources Management & Agricultural technology (LARMAT), Food Science, Nutrition & Technology (FSNT), Agricultural Economics and Animal production (shared with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine). Currently most of the undergraduate and masters courses are offered through face to face mode, however, the faculty is uploading many to be offered through open distance and electronic learning and especially through through electronic learning platforms.

The wide spectrum confers a tremendous faculty/departmental competitive advantage toward teaching and learning, scholarly information generation through research and sharing through scientific information management and exchange besdes innovation devevelopment.

The main employer for these graduates has been the public sector specifically the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Cooperative Development. A few graduates have been employed by government Parastatal boards and financial institutions such as Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC), National Bank of Kenya, Kenya Commercial Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank. A small proportion of these graduates is employed in the private sector such as the agro-chemical companies, feed and food processing companies, agricultural farm/estates, agricultural commodity institutes (Tea and Coffee Research Foundations).

LIST OF DEANS

Prof. T.R. Odhiambo. 1970-1971

renowned African Scientist of the last century

Prof. R.B Contant 1971-1972

retired at ISNAR

Prof. R.S. Musangi 1972-197

former VC Egerton University

served on many international agricultural science boards

Prof. C.N. Karue 1976-1980

ICRAF

Prof. D.N. Ngugi 1980-1984
Prof S.O. Keya 1984-1988

Former VC Moi University

Prof. D.N. Mukunya 1988-1993

Former principal C.A.V.S.

Prof. Kimani Waithaka 1993-1997
Prof. J.K. Imungi 1998-2003
Prof. A.W. Mwang’ombe 2003-2005

Presently Principal at CAVS

Prof. J.K. Nderitu 2006-2010

DVC Research Mount Kenya University

Prof. S.I. Shibairo 2011- 2013
Prof. N.R. Kinuthia Present

HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME MILESTONES/ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

1969. The BSc. Agriculture curriculum developed
1970 completion of construction of faculty of agriculture building
1970/71. The first batch of students were admitted to pursue BSc. Agriculture
In response to the need for slightly more specialized graduates in various disciplines of agriculture, the BS.c Agriculture curriculum was revised in the mid 1970’s. This resulted in various degree programmes in the Faculty of Agriculture namely; BSc. Food Science and Technology, BSc. Forestry, BSc. Range Management in addition to BSc. Agriculture. Later BSc. Agricultural Engineering was introduced.
Majority of the current MSc. Programmes were initiated between 1974 and 1978 to meet the demand for highly trained specialists to serve in various sectors of agriculture. For instance MSc. Plant Pathology was demand-driven, where the Ministry of Agriculture required plant pathologists to serve in various research institutes. The MSc. Applied Human Nutrition and Range Management were initiated as regional programmes to train personnel from sub-Saharan countries and have played this role effectively. The other MSc. Programmes in earlier times trained personnel from both Kenya and Eastern and Central Africa.
1980. Completion of construction of LARMAT and Library
2009. First programe offered in ODeL, MSc. Crop Protection, rolleld out 2009. Completion of 8-4-4 building
August 2012 launch of Faculty of Agriculture Alummni Chapter of the University of Nairobi

Vision

To be a leading and vibrant centre of excellence in sustainable agriculture, food, nutrition and environmental sciences and stewardship.

Mission

To maintain a leadership role in the pursuit of knowledge through relevant and quality research, teaching, training for sustainable development, consultancy and outreach and to contribute to increased human resources, agricultural productivity, agri-business development, poverty reduction, and food security using environmentally sustainable technologies.

Core Values

The Faculty of Agriculture operates within certain treasured beliefs, which have contributed to its success. The Faculty endeavours to:

Uphold the virtues of integrity, honesty, meritocracy and fair play in all activities
Carry out duties with commitment, dedication and professionalism
Create and maintain a sense of belonging and collective responsibility
Build teamwork and strong partnerships with all stakeholders
Promote evidence-based policy processes in food and nutrition, agriculture and environment
Foster a strong and committed sense of social responsibility and citizenship
Embrace innovativeness, independence of mind and pro-activeness
Develop morally and ethically upright professionals

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