Dr Leonard Oruko, a consultant engaged by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), undertook a comprehensive assessment of the TAGDev 1.0 Program at Egerton University from 25th to 27th March 2024. His mission was to dissect the Program's impact on staff, students, the University and the broader community.
Dr Oruko examined the impact of capacity-building activities on teaching methods and institutional management for staff members. He also investigated whether TAGDev had successfully produced entrepreneurial leaders among students, citing examples such as Desktop Lunches and Comrades Dairy.
Moving beyond campus, Dr Oruko visited areas like Subukia, Solai, and Turi in Nakuru County to evaluate TAGDev's influence on local farmers. His interest focused on how TAGDev’s trainings were beneficial to the farmers in enhancing agricultural productivity and livelihoods and incorporation of entrepreneurship for promoting commercial agriculture.
On 26th March, Dr Oruko engaged with cassava farmers in Subukia and Solai, who have experienced the direct benefits of the Cassava Value Chain CARP project overseen by Prof. Richard Mulwa. Continuing his assessment on 27th March, he met with potato farmers in Turi, whose lives have been positively influenced by the Seed Potato CARP Project under the guidance of Prof. Anthony Kibe.
Both projects, recognized for their significant contributions, are credited with enhancing agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods in Nakuru County.
Before commencing his assessment, Dr Oruko made a courtesy call to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics, Research & Extension) Prof. Bernard Aduda. Present during the meeting was the acting Director of Research & Extension Prof. Nancy Mungai. Their discussion centered on refining research funding strategies and strengthening partnerships between the private sector and public universities. Prof. Mungai also serves as TAGDev Program Coordinator at Egerton University.
TAGDev is a partnership program between the MasterCard Foundation and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM).
By Agnes Mwangi
Directorate Of Marketing And Resource Mobilization
