By Musa Kurian
Egerton University and A.I.C. Cheptebo Rural Development Centre (CRDC) are exploring areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening sustainable agriculture, agribusiness, research, innovation and community empowerment. This includes fostering Value chains in the Baringo County and Elgeyo-Marakwet County regions.
The development followed a courtesy visit by a delegation from Egerton University to A.I.C. Cheptebo CRDC, led by Prof. Bernard O. Aduda, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic, Research and Extension. He was accompanied by Prof. Paul Kimurto, Professor of Crop Physiology, Breeding and Innovation, alongside lecturers, university staff and students.
The delegation was received by A.I.C. Cheptebo CRDC Director, Mr. Joseph Kimeli, together with Operations Manager Mr. Anthony Kirwa, Conference Manager Mrs. Sally Kimeli and other members of staff.
During the visit, the Egerton team was taken through various programmes and activities undertaken by the Centre, which focuses on empowering communities through agriculture while promoting food security, improved livelihoods and climate resilience.
The delegation was received by A.I.C. Cheptebo CRDC Director, Mr. Joseph Kimeli, together with Operations Manager Mr. Anthony Kirwa, Conference Manager Mrs. Sally Kimeli and other members of staff.
During the visit, the Egerton team was taken through various programmes and activities undertaken by the Centre, which focuses on empowering communities through agriculture while promoting food security, improved livelihoods and climate resilience.
The visit came against the backdrop of Egerton University’s expanding agricultural research and extension activities in the Kerio Valley, where more than 6,000 acres have been placed under high-yielding, climate-smart groundnut varieties, including Ndovu and Mwangaza.
Prof. Aduda also visited the Centre’s value-addition facilities, providing an opportunity to examine how agricultural production can be linked to processing, skills development and market opportunities for farmers.
The Egerton delegation expressed appreciation for the work undertaken by A.I.C. Cheptebo CRDC in supporting communities and responding to emerging agricultural challenges, particularly those associated with climate change.
The two institutions subsequently held discussions on potential areas of partnership, including sustainable agriculture and agribusiness, livestock and crop management, dryland agriculture, research and innovation, as well as agricultural training through the Centre’s TVET College.
Such collaboration could provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, joint research, technology transfer, skills development and practical training for students and farmers.
The partnership discussions also align with the growing emphasis on value addition in the region’s agricultural sector. By connecting research, production, processing and markets, the institutions see potential to create stronger and more sustainable agricultural value chains.
A.I.C. Cheptebo CRDC expressed optimism that the discussions will lead to a formal partnership between the two institutions, including the possible signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The proposed collaboration marks another step towards translating agricultural research and innovation into practical solutions that can improve livelihoods, strengthen food security and promote sustainable economic development in the Kerio Valley and beyond.
The writer is a Communications Officer,
Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization,
Egerton University.
