Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (CSARD):

Introduction:

Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (CSARD) is a sixteen (16) months course. We target over eighty (80) participants every year - interested women and men from eastern Africa. This course aims at training and educating the participants to be efficient in rural development process.

Structure:

Structured in a way that the course participants take three terms - twelve to fourteen weeks duration - for residential training and four months field attachment in suitable farms.

Entry requirements:

The course is aimed at intelligent, hardworking women and men who are committed to the development of the rural communities in which they live or work. The applicant must have had a farming experience and involved in community development activities. It is desired but not essential, that they have a minimum grade of D+ in the KCSE or its equivalent. They must be fluent in English language.

Curriculum:

Designed to develop sound judgment in the student and impart the knowledge and skills necessary for efficient leadership. The teaching methods include; classroom teaching, farm based teaching and recreation activities. The curriculum is delivered using a modular system and broadly categorized into five sub-sections namely:-                                                        General modules - these cover most individual and community development aspects. 

Crop production modules                                                                                                                                                                         

Animal production modules                                                                                                                                                                         

Farm management modules                                                                                                                                                                       

Agricultural typeering.

 Sports/social/cultural/spiritual activities are also an important part of this curriculum. The modules are further categorized as college prescribed and elective modules. A student is required to take all the prescribed modules for they are aimed at giving the foundation of sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, while elective ones give a student an opportunity to choose what is relevant to his/her work/home area conditions.

Certification:

Cumulative Weighted Mean is used to give a constant feedback to the student and for certification purposes. Certification is by the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, and the following certificates are awarded: -

Distinction                                                                                                                                                                                              

Upper credit                                                                                                                                                                                              

Credit                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Pass                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Attendance.

Cost:

Our cost is highly competitive and reviewed every year to meet only the minimum running costs of the College at a given time.

Application:

Persons interested in this course must apply in writing to the Principal of the college. (Click here to apply online for CSARD 2012/13) The latest application is expected not later than June of every year. The selection is later done through an interview and the course commences in August/September every year. Download 2012 prospectus here for details