Nakuru: The government is intensifying its initiatives to leverage science, technology, and innovation (STI) to enhance food security and build resilience against climate change impacts. Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, announced the introduction of five pivotal shifts aimed at fostering progress. These include prioritizing national agricultural missions, ensuring research translates into practical solutions, developing strong talent pipelines, fortifying partnerships, and integrating public and private financing to commercialize innovations.
According to Kenya News Agency, Prof. Shaukat emphasized the role of renewable energy solutions, such as solar, wind, biofuel, hydropower, and geothermal energy, in conjunction with community-based initiatives for reforestation and innovative waste management systems. These efforts, he asserted, could significantly contribute to safeguarding land, water, and vegetation, thereby laying a foundation for transforming agri-food systems. Prof. Shaukat highlighted the importance of technology and innovation in anticipating and responding to natural disasters, fostering resilience, and driving rural transformation, ultimately improving the livelihoods of smallholder and vulnerable communities.
Speaking at the Kenya National Research Festival (KNRF) at Egerton University in Njoro, Prof. Shaukat underscored the agricultural sector’s potential as a key employer, especially for engaging youth through innovative technologies and practices such as digital farming, agro-processing, and sustainable farming methods. The festival featured exhibitions and research presentations focusing on food security, climate change, housing, health, economic resilience, and technological adoption in Kenya. Prof. Shaukat urged participants to move beyond projects and embark on bold missions that translate research into tangible solutions, stressing that food security encompasses dignity, competitiveness, and creating opportunities for all farmers and innovators.
Prof. Shaukat provided examples of impactful research, such as farmers in Makueni doubling yields with drought-tolerant seeds and youth reducing post-harvest losses through solar cold-chains. He highlighted youth-led initiatives, like mobile apps for agricultural advice and precision farming using drones and sensors, which are revolutionizing farming and creating new economic empowerment pathways. Leading scholars at the festival praised the role of scientific research and innovations in addressing global challenges, including food security, climate change, and waste management.
Experts at the event agreed that despite agriculture’s critical role in tackling the food security issue, the sector faces challenges like climate change, water scarcity, diminishing arable land, soil degradation, and rural-urban migration. To address these challenges, scholars emphasized the need for innovative solutions beyond policy actions. National Research Fund (NRF) CEO Prof. Dickson Andala advocated for deliberate investment in technology to facilitate access to relevant data, markets, and financial services, which are crucial for achieving food security ambitions and meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger.
Prof. Andala identified climate change as the most significant threat to food security in Africa, stressing the importance of an integrated approach that leverages local innovations and technology to build resilience. Reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations indicate that 864 million people, or 10.7% of the global population, were food insecure in 2024, with Africa accounting for 58% of these individuals. In Eastern Africa, the number of food-insecure people has risen by 50 million since 2019.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Regional Focus of the 2024 Global Report on Food Crises reveals that 63 million people, or 25% of the population in seven IGAD countries, are experiencing acute food insecurity. Although the Sub-region represents only 25% of Africa’s population, it is home to over half of the continent’s chronically hungry individuals. Amidst these challenges, Prof. Andala emphasized that technology and innovation hold the potential to transform agri-food systems, making them more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Prof. Andala highlighted technological advancements such as drought-resistant seeds, smart irrigation systems, data-driven decision-making tools, drones, and satellite imagery as means to unlock new possibilities for farmers. These advancements could enhance food production and processing systems, improve nutrition, and ensure better environmental stewardship. The Kenya National Research Festival (KNRF), organized by the NRF with support from Egerton University and the County Government of Nakuru, aims to foster collaboration and leadership in research, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research.
The festival’s theme, “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, Empowering Communities through Research, Science, Technology and Innovation,” included panel discussions, technical workshops, and forums for engagement with policymakers and farmers. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), technology empowers agricultural stakeholders to make informed decisions, modernizing and enhancing the profitability of farming. The rise of mobile applications for sharing agricultural information has become indispensable, allowing farmers to access market data and make decisions that improve their livelihoods, playing a vital role in ensuring food security.
