Curriculum & Teaching Methods in Agriculture- UPLIFT-Ag WP3 Baseline Survey Report 2024

Strengthening Agricultural Education for Industry Needs

The UPLIFT project conducted a baseline survey on curriculum and teaching methods in agriculture across nine African universities. The study involved 453 students and 171 lecturers from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zimbabwe, and explored how well current training prepares graduates for the realities of the agricultural sector.

Findings show that while both students and lecturers are generally positive about the training offered, there are significant gaps in industry engagement, modern teaching facilities, and use of innovative teaching methods. For example, many respondents highlighted limited opportunities for “learning by doing” within industry, low access to modern tools such as drones and agritech demonstration centres, and low confidence in newer teaching approaches like flipped classrooms and simulation.

The results will guide UPLIFT’s Work Package 3 in developing more innovative curricula, stronger university–industry partnerships, and improved teaching practices that equip graduates with practical, entrepreneurial, and digital skills needed in modern agriculture.

🔑 Key Highlights

• Survey covered 9 African universities (Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Zimbabwe).
• 453 students and 171 lecturers responded (June–September 2024).
• Only 11.5% of lecturers said curricula are fully aligned to industry needs.
• Students reported gaps in learning-by-doing and industry exposure.
• Facilities like drones, sensors, incubation centres, and agritech demo farms were widely reported as inadequate or missing.
• Both students and lecturers support more industry involvement in teaching, curriculum design, and practical training. 

Read the Full Report