This programme is designed for advancement and maintenance of a world-class leadership role in the quest for knowledge by way of quality research, capacity building and innovative approaches in order to contribute to modern agricultural sector for food security and secure livelihoods through effective public-private partnership.

A degradation has been on the increase in Africa. Due to a number of factors such as unsustainable food production practices, a reduction to production, climate change, and inadequate skilled personnel, food insecurity situation has worsened in the last few decades creating uncertainties and pressures on current food and economic systems. Several strategies have been developed to combat food insecurity: including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ,  Medium Term Plans (MTPs) , Vision 2030  and Constitution of Kenya 2010. However, there is a dire need to train skilled professionals in food security and sustainable agriculture. The program is therefore designed to develop capacity for innovative research and technology development in food security and suitable agriculture with a particular emphasis in insect value chain as an emerging food resource. Insects reproduce quickly and have high growth and feed conversion rates and low environmental impact. Insects have high protein content and this provides an alternative from the conventional sources such as beef which require high investments. In the development of this program, various stakeholders were involved including community, government agencies, industry, research institutions and institutions of higher learning.

The programme will develop human and infrastructural capacity for innovative research, training, technology development and transfer in Insect value chain as a contribution to Food Security and sustainable Agriculture for use as a food resource.

On successful completion of the program the students should be able to:

• Analyze and evaluate model policy intervention scenarios for food security and sustainable agriculture for improved policy intervention and livelihoods.
• Examine and appreciate integration of theories of entrepreneurship and marketing for analysis of agricultural value chain.
• Demonstrate capacity for competitive research and technology development for food security and sustainable agriculture.
• Explore and utilize innovative extension approaches for promotion of agricultural technologies.

The PhD programme will normally take three years undertaken by Coursework, Examination and Thesis. Students shall be required to take two Semesters of Course work in the first year comprising three units per semester. In the second and third year the students will concentrate on Research and Thesis writing.

Courses shall be offered in units. A course unit is defined as that part of a semester subject described by coherent syllabus and taught normally over a period of a semester. It is designated as a total of 45 Hours. For this purpose, one 1-hour lecture is equivalent to 2-hours tutorial or 3-hours practical or any combination as may be approved by the Board of the School of Agricultural and Food Sciences.

• Lecturers from the School of Agricultural and Food Sciences as well as from other JOOUST Schools teaching full time will provide lectures and monitor class tutorials. Where such approach is inadequate, qualified part time lecturers will be recruited to support the proposed programme. In addition, lecturers from collaborating universities and research institutions both within and without Kenya, especially in Africa, will be engaged in the Programme as visiting or exchange staff.
• Regular Program review, relevant stakeholders’ reviews, departmental and regular School boards, course evaluation, external examiners and moderation during delivery, university policy on quality, CUE standards, ISO standards.

Year 1 Semester 1