Researchers drawn from four Universities have decided to undertake a study to explore the importance of agricultural education in rural development across Africa.
On a study titled: “Roots and Routes: Knowledge and Career Trajectories of Kenyan and Tanzanian Agriculture Graduates,” will be conducted by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and Mzumbe University (MU)
The project which forms part of the Collaborative Research Centre “Future Rural Africa” (CRC 228), a joint initiative by the universities of Bonn and Cologne in Germany, explores the influence of academic training on career outcomes and agricultural development, focusing on how well university curricula can align with industry needs.
It further examines how we can motivate the graduates by influencing their career trajectories and how higher education contributes to the progress of the agricultural sector in both countries.
Speaking during the workshop launch, in collaboration with the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof Victoria Wambui Ngumi emphasized on the central role of agriculture in Kenya’s economy stressing that agriculture remains a cornerstone of our economy and livelihoods.
The VC who was represented by Prof George Thiong’o, Principal of the College of Pure and Applied Sciences, said,
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“At JKUAT, we have long recognized the need for bridging the gap between academia and industry by investing heavily in curriculum review, partnerships with industry, and hands-on learning opportunities. However, we also know that we cannot act in isolation. Collaboration such as this partnership under the Future Rural Africa project is vital.”
Agriculture contributes 22% and 30% of GDP in Kenya and Tanzania respectively, with 66% of Tanzanians and 33% of Kenyans employed in the sector. However, both countries face common challenges such as climate change, high youth unemployment, underfunding, limited infrastructure, and inadequate scaling of sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.
Prof Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Principal Investigator with the Collaborative Research Centre, emphasized that envisioning the future of rural Africa is deeply rooted in the ongoing political discourse, particularly around infrastructure development and investment priorities.
“Shaping and building sustainable futures must align with strategic frameworks such as Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” Prof Hornidge stated.
“Agricultural knowledge systems are central to these efforts, as they influence local dynamics, decision-making, and the broader processes of negotiation and contestation that drive rural transformation,” she averred.
The workshop also addressed key strategic goals such as: aligning academic programs with labor market demands, understanding how knowledge is transmitted to society through graduates and enhancing the education-to-employment pipeline.
There was a strong call to develop and promote agricultural master’s programs as future-oriented career paths.
The Roots and Routes project is a collaboration between JKUAT and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Kenya, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and Mzumbe University (MU) in Tanzania.
The research has benefited from the support of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which engaged its network of alumni scholars.
By Kamau Njoroge
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