The Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, has called on public universities in Kenya to prioritize research and innovation in food security, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions (ASAL) which make up 80 percent of the country’s land.
Speaking at Egerton University during the Kenya National Research Festival 2025, which kicked off on August 18 and runs until August 22, Prof. Shaukat said universities play a critical role in tackling food insecurity by developing innovative solutions to benefit millions of Kenyans facing hunger and malnutrition.
“It is the core responsibility of our universities to inform us, through research and innovation, how we can utilize arid and semi-arid land to produce adequate food for both local consumption and export,” said Prof. Abdulrazak.
He urged universities to align their work with the government’s agenda of boosting food security, adding that county governments in ASAL regions should collaborate with higher learning institutions to implement projects aimed at improving agricultural productivity and reducing malnutrition-related diseases.
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“The time has come for our universities to partner with counties in ASAL regions to utilize available land and resources for the benefit of food security, which is vital to the well-being of residents,” he added.
Egerton University Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaak Kibwage described hosting the research festival as a “monumental achievement” and urged the government to fulfill its pledge of allocating two percent of GDP to research. He emphasized that prioritizing funding for research and innovation in public universities is crucial for national economic growth.
The Kenya National Research Festival 2025, themed “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security”, brings together policymakers, academics, farmers, and development partners to showcase innovations, share knowledge, and explore solutions to transform Kenya’s food systems.
The festival is hosting over 1,000 farmers and features field demonstrations, innovation pitches, training sessions, and policy dialogues aimed at bridging the gap between research institutions and grassroots farmers.
By Peter Otuoro
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