The Department of Plant Science offers educational and research programming across areas such as climate smart agriculture, sustainable cropping systems, agronomy, plant physiology, breeding and genetics and soil science among others. Each of the units is endowed with highly qualified academic and technical support staff. The proportion of academic staff with terminal degrees (PhDs) currently stands at 70% while all the technical staff hold undergraduate and Masters degrees in relevant fields.
Most of the staff members have long-standing experience in research and teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The academic prowess of the staff is continuing to be sharpened and upgraded through research and exchange programmes with other institutions . The department has unlimited access to irrigated land for field-based research and greenhouses for controlled experimentation. The laboratory infrastructure is moderately equipped and undergoes continuous upgrading. The departments has been able to collaborate with other organization for consultancy and research services, hence working together with the community.
1. To enhance competitiveness of the academic training through review and development of curricula that are responsive to emerging issues, changing policy and client needs.
2. To promote scientific education and professional development of students, staff, and other stakeholders and facilitate the translation of basic agricultural discoveries into applied technologies that improve crop productivity and quality in the context of climate-smart agriculture
3. To produce quality and holistic graduates in plant sciences by using diversified and modern modes of teaching and training
4. To carry out research and consultancy in the field of Agriculture and Horticulture through encouraging scholarly research and collaboration in diverse fields
5. To improve public understanding of modern plant science research and its societal importance and foster a collaborative environment that bridges department, faculty, campus, and national boundaries