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Unit Group (L4) • 6310

6310 — Subsistence Crop Farmers

6 SKILLED AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND FISHERY WORKERS› 63 Subsistence Farmers, Fishers, Hunters And Gatherers› 631 Subsistence Crop Farmers› 6310 Subsistence Crop Farmers

Explore overview, tasks, skills, education, work context, earnings, and pathways for this Unit Group.

L4 CODE: 6310
Job summary
  • Subsistence Crop Farmers (KeSCO 6310) supports outcomes in the Crop & Livestock Production 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 requirement summary
On-the-job training or Technical Certificate
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 and industries
Crop & Livestock ProductionAgricultureForestryFisheriesAgri-businessRural Economy
Employment prospects (narrative)
  • 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.
Key tasks (structured)
  • Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
  • Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
  • Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
  • Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
  • Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
  • Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
  • Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
  • Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
  • Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
  • Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
  • Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
  • Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
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 / occupational 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 / soft 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
Skills & competencies (general description)
  • 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.
Certifications, licenses & registration
  • 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 & training pathways (narrative)
  • Secondary education foundation (varies by role)
  • Short courses/certificates in the relevant service/technical area
  • On-the-job training and mentoring
  • Progression supported by additional certificates and demonstrated competence
Education pathways (structured)
  • Secondary education foundation (varies by role)
  • Short courses/certificates in the relevant service/technical area
  • On-the-job training and mentoring
  • Progression supported by additional certificates and demonstrated competence
Minimum entry requirements
  • Minimum education: On-the-job training or Technical Certificate
  • 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
Relevant courses to consider
  • Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil/Construction Technology
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Plumbing and Pipefitting
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
  • Automotive Mechanics
  • Plant/Machine Operation
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
  • CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions where to learn
  • 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)
Work environment & conditions (narrative)
  • Workplace policies
  • Team collaboration
  • Quality standards
  • Outdoor
  • Farms/fields
  • Seasonal production
  • Weather-dependent
Typical employers / places of work
  • Smallholder and commercial farms
  • cooperatives and agribusiness enterprises.
Work setting
Not specified.
Work schedule
Full-time commonEarly mornings commonSeasonal peaks
Employment type
Formal employment possibleInformal employment possibleSelf-employment common in some contextsContract/casual work possible
Salary ranges
Entry
KES 15,000 – 40,000
Mid
KES 40,000 – 80,000
Senior
KES 80,000+ (commercial scale)
Earnings, wages & prospects (narrative)
  • Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 15,000 – 40,000
  • Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 40,000 – 80,000
  • Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 80,000+ (commercial scale)
  • Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
  • Gain hands-on farming experience
  • access agricultural extension or training
  • start with small-scale production and expand with improved practices and technologies.
Career progression
  • Trainee/Junior → Skilled worker → Senior skilled worker
  • Senior skilled worker → Foreman/Supervisor → Contractor/Business owner (common in trades)
Related & alternative 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
6310-11 — Farmer, cereal: subsistence farming
6310-13 — Farmer, field: crop (subsistence farming)
6310-14 — Farmer, field: vegetable (subsistence farming)
6310-15 — Farmer, grain: subsistence farming
6310-16 — Farmer, groundnut: subsistence farming
6310-12 — Farmer, maize: subsistence farming
6310-17 — Farmer, mixed crop: subsistence farming
6310-18 — Farmer, rice: subsistence farming
6310-21 — Farmer, vegetable: subsistence farming
6310-22 — Farmer, wheat: subsistence farming
6310-23 — Gardener, subsistence
6310-24 — Grower, vegetable: subsistence