Egerton University students are proving their mettle on the academic stage, as they participate in the Tissue Culture Banana (TCB) Student Challenge hosted at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). This unique challenge is providing these young scholars with an exceptional opportunity to tackle real-world problems outside the confines of their university classrooms. Under the guidance of dedicated mentors, these students are advancing the cause of TCB, aiming to revolutionize banana cultivation and contribute to Kenya's food security.
The TCB Student Challenge brings together students from five prominent universities: HAMK University from Finland, Bishop Stuart University (BSU), Gulu University from Uganda, Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT), and Egerton University. Each university is represented by a mentor and a team of five students. This initiative is organized under the Faculty of Agriculture, with Prof. Patience Mshenga leading the way as the Project Coordinator, ensuring that the challenge remains a powerful platform for learning and innovation.
The primary goal of this student challenge is to promote problem-based learning (PBL) as an innovative approach to address the challenges faced in the field of tissue culture banana production. Students are encouraged to think outside the box and apply their academic knowledge to tackle real-world issues. This hands-on approach is a departure from traditional classroom pedagogy, enabling students to develop practical skills and contribute to meaningful solutions in the agricultural sector.
The TCB Student Challenge is made possible through partnerships with key players in the TCB industry. The primary project partners include the Institute for Biotechnology Research (IBR), responsible for Tissue Culture Banana plantlet production, JKUAT TCB marketing company, TCB farmers, and a TCB agribusiness cooperative. These collaborations facilitate an effective exchange of knowledge and the development of sustainable solutions for the TCB sector.
Tissue-Cultured Banana (TCB) involves cultivating any part of the banana plant under sterile laboratory conditions, a vital technique in banana production. The various methods employed in TCB, such as shoot and meristem culture, callus culture, somatic embryogenesis, cell suspension, and protoplast cultures, offer the promise of improving banana production in Kenya. However, challenges such as pests, diseases, inadequate agronomic practices, and the lack of access to clean and affordable planting materials have hindered its full potential.
Kenya's banana production has been on the decline, further exacerbating the issue of food security in the country. The TCB Student Challenge aims to tackle this problem head-on by promoting the adoption of TCB, which has the potential to revolutionize banana farming practices and contribute to a more resilient and productive agricultural sector.
One specific challenge addressed by the TCB Student Challenge is the poor adoption of TCB cooking varieties, particularly among farmers in Central Kenya. By developing solutions to increase the adoption of TCB, students are working towards the dual goals of boosting food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Moreover, the initiative aligns with the government's Bottom-up Transformation Agenda (BETA), a focal point of national development. The TCB Student Challenge aims to provide valuable insights into TCB value chain development, aligning itself with the government's vision to uplift communities from the grassroots.
The TCB Student Challenge at Egerton University is not only a testament to the talent and innovation of its students but also a promising step towards addressing the pressing challenges in Kenya's agricultural sector. Through collaboration, innovative thinking, and problem-solving, these students are forging a path toward enhanced food security and sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to the nation's economic growth and development. As this student challenge unfolds, it holds the promise of a brighter and more resilient future for the banana industry in Kenya.
By Kurian Musa, October 18, 2023
Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization
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