In an endeavor to cultivate resilience and promote innovative solutions in agriculture, the Smart Mechanized Agriculture & Climate Action for Humanity and Sustainability (SMACHS) is seeking collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to mainstream youth voices in addressing pressing agriculture and climate change issues.

During a visit to JKUAT, SMACHS Patron, Ms. Charlene Ruto expressed the Foundation’s commitment to ushering in a new era of youth-driven, climate-resilient agriculture. Their aim is to empower young people to actively contribute to food security and climate action through the adoption of smart, mechanized agricultural practices, with a particular focus on three key thematic areas: youth engagement in agriculture, climate action, and beekeeping.

“Agriculture has always been the cornerstone of our economy, and we firmly believe that by collaborating with JKUAT, we can inspire young individuals to embrace agriculture as a means to enhance both their economic prospects and the overall prosperity of our nation,” remarked Charlene during the meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi.

Round table discussion between JKUAT and SMACHS

Prof. Ngumi expressed JKUAT’s readiness for collaborative effort, emphasizing the university’s strengths in agriculture, climate change mitigation, and mechanized farming.

“Since its establishment, JKUAT has been dedicated to fostering a culture of research and innovation among both faculty and students. Notably, JKUAT is home to various pioneering initiatives, including the Legume Centre of Excellence for Food Nutrition Security, Cassava Virology Lab, EU-funded Food Fortification Lab, and Innovation Prototyping Centre,” highlighted Prof. Ngumi.

She further said that the convergence of SMACHS and JKUAT would be a significant step towards harnessing expertise and resources for the development of evidence-based agricultural solutions.

Part of the mooted partnership is joint grant proposals development, aimed at addressing the complex challenges facing agriculture and climate resilience.

“This partnership holds the promise of not only advancing agricultural research and innovation but also fostering sustainable development and prosperity for future generations,” concluded Prof. Ngumi.

Fostering Youth-Led Agriculture and Climate Resilience