Njoro: After a three-year wait, the first Sh40 million phase towards construction of a Regional Center of Excellence in Eastern Africa has finally kicked off at Egerton University. The investment aimed at boosting sustainable, climate-smart farming in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and South Sudan is a joint initiative between the university and Kilimo Trust through financial support from The IKEA Foundation.
According to Kenya News Agency, the kickoff of the construction project at the university’s Njoro Main Campus botanical garden was officiated by Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac Kibwage and Kilimo Trust Chairman Dr. Bruce Scott. Professor Kibwage emphasized that this partnership aligns with national and continental priorities on sustainable food systems and reinforces the university’s role in research-driven agricultural development. The IKEA Foundation is already involved with Kilimo Trust and Egerton University to support rice farmers and other value chain actors in Kenya and Uganda in adopting regenerative farming practices.
The Vice-Chancellor indicated that the center will act as a catalyst for transformation in agriculture by researching, developing, and sharing knowledge on regenerative agricultural practices, building capacity in the agricultural sector, and empowering communities to adopt sustainable and resilient practices. The facility will include a state-of-the-art reference laboratory for services related to soil health, which will guide experts on sustainable soil management enhanced by the adoption of regenerative agriculture.
Professor Kibwage further explained that the plant tissue lab will offer analysis for plant health, nutrient concentration levels, and impact, providing knowledge and guidance on good agronomic practices for farmers and extension agents. The center will also focus on ideas related to the circular economy, sustainable agribusiness, and enterprises on agricultural by-products, especially in clean energy and environmental sustainability.
The Centre will be hosted at Egerton University’s Agro-Science Park, serving as a regional hub for regenerative agriculture practices with activities focusing on demonstration farms, carbon credit research, bio-economy studies, and agribusiness innovation. Professor Kibwage assured that the facility is designed to support farmers, researchers, and students, while enhancing regional value chains.
Dr. Scott emphasized the need for knowledge transfer, access to finance, inputs, and policies that support regenerative agriculture as critical goals for industry partners and government agencies across East Africa. Regenerative agriculture is seen as an evolution of conventional agriculture, aiming to reduce resource use and prevent land degradation while protecting and improving soil, biodiversity, climate resilience, and water resources.
Dr. Scott highlighted the importance of training and educating smallholder farmers in regenerative agriculture, stressing that partnerships and platforms are essential for knowledge sharing. He underscored that further collaboration and partnerships within the agricultural value chain are vital for helping smallholder farmers maximize the benefits of regenerative agricultural practices.
Kilimo Trust Chief Executive Officer Dr. Birungi Karutaro indicated that the initiative supports both Kenyan national priorities and regional East African goals for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable food security. She explained that the center will drive innovation and sustainable agricultural practices which are essential to overcoming challenges like climate change, soil degradation, and food insecurity.
Kilimo Trust Kenya Country Team Leader Mr. Anthony Mugambi noted that the Centre will provide a regional platform for climate-smart agriculture, carbon credit, and bio-economy research, as well as private sector innovation. Professor Paul Kimurto, Director of the Agro-Science Park, added that the Centre will operate as a hub for research, innovation, and capacity building in climate-smart and regenerative agriculture.
Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock in National Assembly Dr. John Kanyuithia Mutunga hailed the unveiling of the facility, stating that it will scale up agricultural technologies and innovations developed at the university for market readiness. Dr. Mutunga pointed out that since agriculture emits 20 percent of Green Houses Gases (GHGs), adopting long-term, climate-sensitive farming is imperative.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting the implementation of regenerative agriculture through clean energy solutions. Dr. Mutunga emphasized that integrating clean and renewable energy into agricultural practices would lead to cost reductions in production, increased yields, and improved food security.