The
Mountain Journal
By James
Wakahiu
Researchers
in industry and agriculture have come together to find solutions to
the effects of climate change and declining food security.At least
40 partners are participating in a Research, Innovation and Digital Agri-Expo
at Mount Kenya University (MKU) which aims to chart the way forward in
minimizing the adversities of a changing environment.
graced by Director General, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute
(KIRDI), Dr. Calvin Onyango, Chief Executive Officer, Universities Funding
Board Geoffrey Monari, partners and exhibitors.
industry is vital in enhancing innovations, commercialization of scientific or
research outcomes for socio-economic growth, knowledge transfer and a mutual
value-addition.” said MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi on the first
day of the two-day event.
He said MKU has taken
the initiative to grow medicinal plants in its botanical garden at the Green
valley estate Campus in Thika and an initial research has yielded the
production of bathing soap using aloe vera and bamboo extracts.
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Noting that research
and innovation are the drivers of economic development; the VC said there must
be a strong synergy between academia and industry to foster the much needed
socio-economic development.
“The banks, the
schools, the hotels, the construction sites, small scale and large-scale
farmers, hospitals, engineers, boda-boda transporters and the entire
transport sector, the ICT sector, and so on are the industry players and
partners in this endeavour,” said the VC.
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At the same time, Prof
Jaganyi made an appeal for more funding towards research and innovation from
the government, noting that currently the kitty stands at 2 per cent.
“We know the
government has many things to do including financing research and innovation,
but when more funds become available it will go a long way towards
realizing our goals,” said the scholar.
Dr Onyango said KIRDI
has embarked on a program of partnering with universities to share information
and create linkages between young innovators and the industrial market.
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“We are offering
incubation services where students come and use our facilities and gain the
confidence to go out into the market for them to grow and create jobs,” said
Onyango.
Monari said the
Funding Board has partnered with donors to support innovators on issues of
climate change, food security and health.
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“Over the years the
innovators have not been supported financially and that is what we are now
focusing on. We also want universities to become more entrepreneurial,” the
official added.
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