Egerton University has partnered with Kilimo Trust to launch the construction of a Regional Centre of Excellence in Eastern Africa, marking a major step toward advancing climate-smart and regenerative agriculture across the region.
The project, whose first phase is valued at Sh40 million, comes after a three-year delay and is being funded with support from The IKEA Foundation. The facility will be located at the university’s Njoro Main Campus, specifically within the Agro-Science Park, where it is expected to serve as a regional hub for agricultural innovation and sustainability.
The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by Egerton University Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac Kibwage and Kilimo Trust Chairman Dr Bruce Scott.
Professor Kibwage confirmed that the establishment of the centre has successfully gone through all statutory and institutional approvals, emphasizing that the initiative aligns with both Kenya’s national priorities and broader continental goals on sustainable food systems. He noted that the partnership reinforces the university’s commitment to research-driven agricultural transformation.
“This centre will catalyse transformation in agriculture by generating and sharing knowledge on regenerative practices, building capacity within the sector and empowering communities to adopt sustainable and resilient farming systems,” said Professor Kibwage.
He added that the facility will feature a modern reference laboratory focused on soil health, offering critical services in soil analysis and sustainable land management. In addition, a plant tissue laboratory will be set up to assess plant health, nutrient levels and overall crop performance.
“The plant tissue lab will offer analysis for plant health, nutrient concentration levels and impact, enabling provision of knowledge and guidance on good agronomic practices for farmers and extension agents,” he explained.
Beyond research, the centre will also act as an incubation hub for innovations in circular economy models, sustainable agribusiness and value addition, including the use of agricultural by-products for clean energy and environmental sustainability.
The facility is expected to support a wide range of activities including demonstration farms, carbon credit research, bio-economy studies and agribusiness innovation, while also strengthening regional agricultural value chains across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan.
Dr Scott highlighted that the centre will prioritize knowledge transfer, improved access to finance and inputs, and supportive policy frameworks to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture.
“Forging stronger partnerships is key to unlocking the potential of regenerative agriculture for smallholders. Producing more while restoring more is at the heart of regenerative agriculture, but it requires a concerted effort to support farmers already impacted by climate change,” said Dr Scott.
He stressed the importance of equipping smallholder farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge, noting that such farmers contribute nearly a third of global food production and up to 70–80 percent in some African countries, despite facing challenges such as poverty, climate change and food insecurity.
According to Dr Scott, regenerative agriculture offers a practical pathway to address these challenges by improving soil health, conserving biodiversity, enhancing water resources and increasing farm productivity.
Kilimo Trust Chief Executive Officer Dr Birungi Karutaro said the initiative is aligned with both Kenya’s development agenda and regional efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture and food security.
“This centre will drive innovation and sustainable agricultural practices, which are essential to overcoming challenges like climate change, soil degradation and food insecurity,” she said.
Dr Karutaro noted that agriculture remains central to Kenya’s economy, supporting over 70 percent of the rural population and contributing about 26 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
“If Kenya is to secure its agricultural future and achieve food security, climate-smart solutions must be adopted. This centre will promote the anchoring of such solutions in agricultural practices,” she added.
Kilimo Trust Kenya Country Team Leader Anthony Mugambi said the centre will provide a regional platform for research in climate-smart agriculture, carbon credits and the bio-economy, while also fostering private sector innovation. He emphasized that the facility will be accessible to researchers, students and farming communities across East Africa.
Director of the Agro-Science Park Professor Paul Kimurto stated that the centre will function as a hub for research, innovation and capacity building.
“Planned activities include demonstration farms, farmer and extension training programmes, agribusiness incubation and applied research collaborations,” he said.
The research component will be led by Professor Kimurto alongside Professor James Ondiek, with postgraduate students actively participating in field research and data collection.
Chairperson of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock Dr John Kanyuithia Mutunga welcomed the initiative, noting that it will help scale up agricultural technologies developed at the university and prepare them for market adoption.
He underscored the importance of integrating renewable energy into agriculture to promote sustainability and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
“As Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, I support this initiative, which seeks to establish a renewable energy-driven, resilient food system that promotes sustainable farming practices, increases farmers’ incomes, and enhances livelihoods,” said Dr Mutunga.
However, he cautioned that scaling up renewable energy use in agri-food systems will require coordinated efforts from government, private sector players, international organizations, financial institutions, academia and non-governmental organizations.
With Kenya’s population projected to reach 96 million by 2050 and agriculture contributing approximately 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, Dr Mutunga emphasized the urgency of adopting long-term, climate-sensitive farming practices.
Once completed, the Regional Centre of Excellence is expected to play a key role in shaping agricultural policy, strengthening farmer resilience and promoting sustainable value chains across East Africa in the face of growing climate challenges.
By: Catherine Kamunyo
