After two years hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, JKUAT resumed her stellar performance in the Agricultural Society of Kenya shows by clinching first position in six trade classes including the coveted “Best University Trophy” at the Central Kenya National Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show, staged at the Kabiru-ini grounds in Nyeri.
JKUAT beat other exhibitors to be declared first in; Best University Stand, Stand that Best Interprets Current Show Theme (Education/Research), Best Agricultural Based Statutory Stand, Best Stand Exhibiting Agricultural and Earth Moving Equipment, Most Striking Display Demonstration (Locally Manufactured Products) and Best Agro-processing Stand.
In keeping with the theme of the show: Promoting Innovation and Technology in Agriculture and Trade, JKUAT researchers and exhibitors showcased several innovations geared towards agriculture and entrepreneurship. The innovations ranged from those in food security, agricultural mechanization, and agribusiness as well as value addition.
According to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, the top honours at the Central ASK Show epitomizes JKUAT’s prowess in technological innovation, agro-processing as well as value addition initiatives.
“The University is showcasing cutting edge research and innovations that highlight the work we are doing in food security and nutrition, universal health coverage, affordable housing and manufacturing. We desire as a university, to see Kenyans benefit from these innovations through commercialization to create wealth and improve livelihoods,” said Prof. Ngumi.
She further urged institutes of higher learning to take the lead in driving the research agenda of the country.
“I extend my welcome to our stakeholders to identify and adopt beneficial research and innovation outputs offered by academia in order to solve challenges in various sectors of our economy,” advised Prof. Ngumi.
While visiting the JKUAT stand Nyandarua County Governor, Dr. Moses Badilisha lauded JKUAT for its innovations and exhibits saying the university has practical solutions to some of the country’s problems.
“As a governor, I will definitely be visiting JKUAT to address some of the challenges we are facing as a county. I am particularly impressed with the value addition of agricultural products and agricultural mechanisation I have seen. Some of these innovations will be beneficial to our farmers,” said the Governor.
In his congratulations message to the JKUAT team, the acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, in charge of Research, Production and Extension (RPE), Prof. Jackson Kwanza lauded them for working tirelessly and giving their all, efforts that he said, had continued to make the University stand out as amongst the best in the region.
Visitors to the University Stand sampled various academic programmes offered, cutting edge research, innovations and technologies which included: cricket farming, snail farming, smart bin, Indigenous African Vegetables, the multi juicer processor, value added sorghum products, tissue culture banana, mobile voting innovation that allows voters to vote from the comfort of their homes among others.
The University researchers and innovators are set to battle for the top honours with other exhibitors at the Nairobi International Trade Fair that kicks off from September 26th to October 2nd.
Source: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology