Summary
Agricultural Managers (KeSCO 1311) supports outcomes in the Management & Leadership (Cross-sector) sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Management & Leadership (Cross-sector)ManagementPublic AdministrationCorporate LeadershipNGO/DevelopmentCross-sector
Description
Agricultural Managers (KeSCO 1311) supports outcomes in the Management & Leadership (Cross-sector) sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
- Set goals, plans, and performance targets aligned to organisational strategy
- Develop budgets, allocate resources, and monitor utilisation
- Supervise staff: assign duties, coach performance, and conduct appraisals
- Coordinate inter-departmental work and manage stakeholder expectations
- Oversee policy implementation, governance, and compliance requirements
- Manage projects and programmes: planning, execution, monitoring, reporting
- Monitor risks, implement controls, and respond to incidents or crises
- Strengthen service delivery through process improvement and innovation
- Oversee procurement/contract management and vendor performance
- Represent the organisation in meetings, negotiations, and public engagements
- Ensure timely reporting, documentation, and accountability requirements
- Promote ethical conduct, transparency, and a results-oriented culture
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and prioritisation
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Customer service orientation
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Decision-making and judgement
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Digital literacy (basic)
- Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
- Use of hand and power tools safely
- Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
- Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
- Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
- Quality control and workmanship standards
- Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
- Workplace safety and PPE usage
- Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
- Material handling and storage
- Site readiness and task planning
- Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
- Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
- Negotiation and stakeholder management
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation and public speaking
- Creativity and innovation
- Emotional intelligence
- Planning and organisation
- Resilience and stress management
- Service mindset and empathy
- Networking and relationship building
- Analytical thinking
- Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
- Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
- Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
- First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, law, economics, public administration, sector field) | Entry through junior professional roles → supervisory roles → middle management | Leadership and governance training (ethics, public finance, strategy, performance management) | Continuous development (executive education, postgraduate studies, sector certifications)
Pathways
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, law, economics, public administration, sector field)
- Entry through junior professional roles → supervisory roles → middle management
- Leadership and governance training (ethics, public finance, strategy, performance management)
- Continuous development (executive education, postgraduate studies, sector certifications)
Relevant courses
- Business Administration
- Accounting and Finance
- Economics
- Human Resource Management
- Procurement and Supply Chain
- Project Management fundamentals
- Marketing and Sales
- Public Administration / Governance
- Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) fundamentals
- Customer Service / Service Excellence
Institutions
- Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
- National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
- Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
- Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
- Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
- Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
- Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
- Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
- Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
- Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
- Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
- Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
- Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
- Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Office-based | Meetings | Stakeholder engagement | Decision-making | Travel/field visits
Where they work
- Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possiblePublic sector leadership rolesCorporate executive rolesBoard/committee engagements possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 80,000 – 150,000
Mid level
KES 150,000 – 300,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 80,000 – 150,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 150,000 – 300,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 300,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Gain a relevant degree, build experience in the sector, move into supervisory roles and develop leadership, financial and people-management skills.
Career progression
- Assistant/Officer roles → Supervisor → Manager → Senior Manager/Director → Executive/CEO
- Possible movement into board/committee leadership and high-level advisory roles
Related occupations
- Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
- Support roles in the same sector/industry
- Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
- Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
1311-11 — Manager, Agricultural Farm
Manager, Agricultural Farm is responsible for analyze existing operations, crops, livestock, staff, and financial documents and recommending improvements; prepare plans and schedules for planting and harvesting and ensuring staff understands expectations; visit the different divisions to inspect crops, livestock, and also perform tests on soil and water within their professional field.
1311-14 — Manager, Agricultural Production
Manager, Agricultural Production is responsible for develop production plan, set production rules and implement strategies to optimize agricultural production manage and allocate resources efficiently including water, land fertilizers, pesticides, equipment and labour oversee and coordinate farm operations ensure adherence to quality standards and compliance with relevant regulations and certifications manage the financial aspects of agricultural production inspects plantations and fields to determine maturity dates of crops within their professional field.
1311-15 — Manager, Dairy Farm
Manager, Dairy Farm is responsible for oversee all aspects of dairy farm operations, including herd management, milk production, and pasture maintenance develop and implement grazing plans to optimize forage utilization and animal health monitor milk quality and work with the quality assurance team to ensure compliance with industry standards supervise farm staff and provide training as needed keep accurate records of herd health, milk production, feed usage, and other operational data work with the sales team to develop marketing strategies and secure new business opportunities negotiate contracts with suppliers and service providers manage the budget and financial planning for the farm maintain a safe and clean working environment in compliance with all regulatory requirements perform regular maintenance on farm equipment and machineryplan and coordinate breeding programs to improve genetic traits of the herd stay up to date on industry trends and best practices within their professional field.
1311-17 — Manager, Horticultural Farm
Manager, Horticultural Farm is responsible for plan, implement and manage horticultural crop production activities assess market demand, research crop variety and make informed decision regarding the selection and cultivation of horticultural crops manage inventory levels of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides supervise and coordinate a team of farm workers implement and maintain quality control procedures prepares and manage budgets for the horticultural farm engage with local communities agricultural associations, government agencies to forester positive relationships within their professional field.
1311-13 — Manager, Livestock Farm
Manager, Livestock Farm is responsible for directs and coordinates livestock farm activities examines livestock for illness or diseases prepares breeding or hatching schedule based on customer orders inspects facilities and equipment to ensure compliance researches technical literature for data o breeding , rearing, habits, diet and diseases arranges for sales of livestock interprets genetic data and advise customers within their professional field.
1311-12 — Manager, Plantation
Manager, Plantation is responsible for manages plantations on behalf of the employer determines the type of crop to be grown after considering various factors organizes and supervises processes of storing of harvest and produces undertakes publicity strategies for the produce supervises and coordinates work of field and office staff recruits staff and trains them in modern method of plantation within their professional field.
1311-16 — Manager, Poultry Farm
Manager, Poultry Farm is responsible for ensure the health, welfare and bio security of the poultry on the farm develop production plans, set production goals and implement strategies to optimize poultry production manage the farms facilities and equipment specific to poultry production ensure compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements manage the financial aspect of the poultry farm monitor market trends, pricing and demand for poultry products within their professional field.
1311-18 — Manager, Ranch
Manager, Ranch is responsible for oversee all aspects of ranch operations, including but not limited to: animal husbandry, crop production, irrigation, land management, and maintenance develop and implement long term plans for the ranch in collaboration with the owner, taking into account financial goals, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance hire, train, and supervise ranch staff, delegating tasks and responsibilities as needed monitor and evaluate ranch performance, making necessary changes to improve efficiency and productivity keep accurate records of all ranch activities, including finances, livestock, crops, and equipment plan and oversee the construction and repair of ranch buildings, fences, and other infrastructure purchase supplies and equipment as needed, staying within budget constraints within their professional field.