Summary
Agriculturalists And Related Professionals (KeSCO 2141) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment 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
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
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
Science, Engineering & Built EnvironmentProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Agriculturalists And Related Professionals (KeSCO 2141) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment 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
- 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
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
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
- Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
- Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
- Professional registration/licensing where regulated
- Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
- 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
- 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: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
- 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 | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
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 possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
- Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
- Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
- Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy 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
2141-11 — Agriculturalist
Agriculturalist is responsible for conducts research into field crops and develops new and improved production methods performs experiments to improve crop yield, adaptability to geo climatic conditions resistance to diseases and insect pests, yields, quality of harvest and other characteristics of field crops within their professional field.
2141-13 — Agronomist
Agronomist is responsible for conducts research and experiment to develop new crop varieties and management practices interpret soil and water test results to farmers and advise accordingly; develops and implements strategies for conservations and sustainable use of natural resources advise and avail information to farmers of the best farm inputs to use on the farm and on the crops as well within their professional field.
2141-17 — Conservator, forest
Conservator, forest is responsible for control and manage the exploitation of forests by undertaking activities and efforts that support sustainable conservatory practices within their professional field.
2141-23 — Dairy Scientist
Dairy Scientist is responsible for study farm animals and crops, searching for ways to improve their quality or volume researches ways to help increase milk production and streamline milk processing, striving to accomplish this in an environmentally sustainable way; analyses the composition and nutritional value of milk and dairy products within their professional field.
2141-26 — Farm overseer crop production
Farm overseer crop production is responsible for plans and coordinated planting and harvesting schedules ensures that crop is properly irrigated, fertilized and protected from pests and diseases develops and implement plants to improve soil health and fertility monitor crop growth and health, and adjusts cultivation practices as needed within their professional field.
2141-27 — Fisheries advisor
Fisheries advisor is responsible for provide consultancy on fish stocks and their habitats; develop plans and policies for fisheries management provides advice on protected farms and wild fish stock within their professional field.
2141-18 — Forester
Forester is responsible for oversee forest land, manage budgets, create plans for forestry projects, supervises forest and conservation technicians and workers; ensure that forest crew activities comply with government regulations within their professional field.
2141-21 — Forestry advisor
Forestry advisor is responsible for conduct research and surveys to assess the health and conduct of the forest in the region develops and implements plans and policies to manage and conserve forest resources provides technical assistant and training to individual and organizations involved in forestry activities advice their clients on how to get the most benefit from their land within their professional field.
2141-16 — Forestry Scientist
Forestry Scientist is responsible for researches on, develops and improves methods for tree propagation, culture or planting plans and supervises afforestation programs and exploitation of forests; designs and implements forest conservation programs to protect biodiversity and maintain ecological balance in forest ecosystem within their professional field.
2141-12 — Horticulturist
Horticulturist is responsible for oversee the production and care of plants, fruits and vegetables manage crop scheduling for timing of appropriate planting and harvesting perform propagation, irrigation, and pest management of plants control plant growth regulation through mixing and testing fertilizers, and monitor injectors in greenhouses within their professional field.
2141-25 — Pisces-culturist
Pisces-culturist is responsible for manage fish farms conducting research to improve the production and health fish and aquatic organism ensure food safety within their professional field.
2141-24 — Poultry Scientist
Poultry Scientist is responsible for research and control poultry selection and breeding practices to increase production efficiency and improve poultry quality; develop new technologies and techniques to enhance bird health and welfare conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals within their professional field.
2141-14 — Silviculturist
Silviculturist is responsible for plan, establishes and manage forest tree plantation and natural forests maintains and monitor tree health, growth and development develop forest management plans and programs within their professional field.
2141-15 — Soil Scientist
Soil Scientist is responsible for researches on characteristics, uses, capability and productivity of soils and applies findings to the development of improved agricultural, horticultural and forestry practices; researches the effects of pollution, deforestation and erosion and the makeup of soil within their professional field.
2141-22 — Wood Anatomist
Wood Anatomist is responsible for studying anatomical structure of wood in relation to its properties and uses identifying and classifying different types of timbers determining factors responsible for growth and development of trees examining different types of cells of wood, their arrangement and variation within their professional field.