Nakuru: Egerton University’s Agro-Science Park, in collaboration with various industry stakeholders, has unveiled a range of high-yielding, drought- and disease-resistant crop seed varieties designed to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
According to Kenya News Agency, Professor Paul Kimurto, Director for Agro-Science Park at Egerton University, highlighted that the initiative is also focused on training farmers to adopt innovative farming practices. These efforts are crucial to mitigating post-harvest losses caused by the emergence of new pests and diseases that have adversely affected crop yields.
Professor Kimurto emphasized the threat climate change poses to global food security, citing unpredictable rainfall patterns as a significant factor in decreased yields and increased production costs. He stated, “Unless we help our farmers embrace climate-smart agriculture, production will continue to dwindle, leading to decreased incomes, job losses, and hunger.”
The institution has released several high-yielding, disease- and drought-resistant seed varieties to the market, including Egerton Mbaazi M1, Mbaazi M2, Mbaazi 3, and Mbaazi M4 pigeon pea seeds. Additionally, 29 new cassava varieties, Tasha, Ciankui, and Chelalang bean varieties, suitable for warm areas, and Nyota and Mwangaza groundnut seeds have been introduced. Other innovations include new sorghum varieties EUS 130, EUS1, EU-SS-10, and EU-SS-11 finger millets, along with chickpeas (Saina ka1).
Professor Kimurto noted that the Agro-Science Park has been at the forefront of transforming agricultural research, science, and innovation into practical solutions for over a decade. Established in 2011, the Park bridges the gap between laboratory research and the marketplace by promoting innovation, technology transfer, commercialization, and university-industry linkages.
The Agro-Science Park offers a platform for research, demonstration, training, incubation, agro-processing, and commercialization of agricultural innovations. Its 50-acre facility brings together researchers, students, farmers, entrepreneurs, agro-processors, and industry partners. Additionally, the Park has supported innovations in honey, yoghurt, fish farming, and agricultural mechanization.
As part of the larger Egerton University Agri-City Agro-Industrial Park, the Agro-Science Park is envisioned as a transformative hub for agricultural production, agro-processing, technology, research, investment, and enterprise development. This concept, according to Professor Kimurto, is aimed at creating an integrated ecosystem for sustainable agriculture.
In their research and development of climate-smart seeds, Egerton University has collaborated with several partners, including the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis), Community Action Research Project (CARP+), and the Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Other partners include the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM), East African Breweries Limited (EABL), Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), the MasterCard Foundation, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra).
Professor Kimurto stressed the need for sustained innovation in drought-resistant seed varieties, environmentally friendly practices, and improved post-harvest management to reduce losses. He also highlighted the importance of empowering farmers to make informed decisions, such as planting at the right time with the right crop.
However, Professor Kimurto pointed out that the adoption of climate-smart agricultural innovations and technologies is often limited to large-scale farmers. “Knowledge dissemination to small-scale farmers is critical,” he stated. The Agro-Science Park reflects Egerton University’s long-standing leadership in agricultural education and research, ensuring that knowledge is transformed into innovations, enterprises, jobs, and solutions that improve lives.
The groundnut varieties developed by the University can yield up to 20-25 bags per acre of unshelled nuts with proper cultivation. They thrive in hot, dry areas like Turkana, where farmers typically face low yields. These seeds are also suitable for dry regions in Nyanza (south), Western, and Eastern areas. In addition to providing seeds, farmers receive training on crop husbandry, including planting 30 kg of groundnuts per acre instead of the usual 25 kg.
Initially, Egerton University offered the drought-resistant Tasha, Ciankui, and Chelalang beans to 100 farmers in Nyandarua, Uasin Gishu, and Nakuru counties. The beans, released after thorough research, are a response to climate change effects that have made many areas warmer. The hybrid varieties produce 20 to 30 beans in each pod, compared to the typical 10-15 beans. These beans cook faster, saving fuel and time, and have less gas while being enriched with higher levels of zinc and iron.
