UON to Establish an Agricultural Technology and Innovation Center
Kantaria exchange their signed MoU Documents, while PS, Dr. Kevit Desai
witnessed the signing on Tue Dec 7, 2021
The University of Nairobi and Elgon Kenya Limited have entered into a collaborative agreement with the aim of establishing an Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (ATIC) at the university’s Faculty of Agriculture, Upper Kabete Campus.
This was revealed during an MoU signing between the two institutions at the UoN Towers on Tuesday, December 7, 2021.
‘The Kshs. 7M ATIC will be fully funded by Elgon Kenya Limited. This will allow Kenyans and UoN students to experience innovation and the latest technology in agriculture. The centre will be used to establish cost effective and easy to use innovations example; drip irrigation, drones and combined harvesters.’ says Bimal Kantaria, Managing Director of Elgon Kenya Limited.
The Director further mentioned that the ATIC will hold open days for farmers and will be a focal point for private sector companies. The center will also produce cost effective research to the companies.
The UoN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama in his remarks made mention that agriculture just like all the other sectors continues to experience a lot of challenges thus scientific research is and should be the backbone of tackling existing and emerging agriculture related challenges. ‘Agriculture in Kenya has not been backed by evidence based research but rather cultural and traditional practices,’ emphasized the VC. The center seeks to support evidence based agriculture by facilitating research and dissemination.
Further, the University seeks to deepen this collaborative agreement with Elgon Kenya Limited and nurture the spirit of innovation and community service among students and Kenyans. This will then ensure that the theory and practice gap has been bridged and students will be able to participate in exchange programme, internships and attachments with all the partner institutions. ‘We want to be able to produce ‘street-wise’ students from the university.’
"This is an important initiative in the context of the big 4agenda.70% of Africans are farmers and 50% of Kenya’s manufacturing is agriculture-based thus the establishment will incentivize farmers by enhancing their productivity and efficiency. This people-centered but private sector driven center will advice on policy issues and legislative matters." noted Dr. Kevit Desai, PS, State Departmet of Agriculture, East African Community.
The Chairman of the committee, Prof. John Kimenju expressed his joy at the signing of the MOU citing that UoN and the Elgon Kenya team have been a family and have worked seamlessly and they are ready to implement the MoU.
Present during the signing were members of the committee, AVRIE, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, Director, IPMO, Prof. Mary Kinoti among others.
