Graduates of the department`s internationally recognized programmes are well prepared to enter Food industries, Government ministries, Parastatals, Non-governmental organizations and research institutions in the various fields involved in food processing and human nutrition, research and development, as well as planning and implementation of projects.

The origin of the Department of Agricultural Economics dates back to 1970 when the University of Nairobi and the Faculty of Agriculture were established.  Its distinct character for many years was a commitment to provide excellent formal training in Agricultural Economics at the MSc degree level.  In 1999/2000 academic year, the department introduced new undergraduate degree programmes in BSc Agribusiness Management, BSc Agricultural Education and Extension.  The programs rolled out the first undergraduate graduands in 2003/2004.  In 2004/2005 academic year MSc in Agricultural and Applied E

In this millennium, drylands all over the world are faced with problems that present tough management, research and policy challenges. These areas cover about 40% of the earth land surface and are home to more than 38%of the world's population. People living in drylands constitute a large fraction of the worlds poorest. Of the worlds most disadvantaged countries, according to United Nation Development Programmes Human Development Index, over 50% are in dryland Africa. In Africa, two-thirds of which is desert or drylands, 73% of the agricultural drylands are moderate to severely degraded.