Research consortium awarded Ksh15M grant to enhance food security.
Following discussions at JKUAT regarding project implementation, a group from various fields including researchers and industry experts in African indigenous vegetable (AIVs) value chains, led by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), has successfully secured a competitive grant totaling Ksh15 million from the National Research Fund (NRF).
This grant aims to scale up climate-smart technologies for AIVs to enhance food and nutrition security in Kenya, uniting a team of ten individuals from JKUAT, IREN Growthpad Ltd, Local Development Research Institute (LDRI), and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
Prof Dickson Andala, the CEO of NRF, highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between research outcomes and practical applications, emphasizing the necessity of expanding prior research efforts to ensure impactful results.
The 18-month project, a pioneering initiative in Kenya, is set to be spearheaded by Prof Mary Abukutsa as the Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator. The team comprises experts from JKUAT, MMUST, IREN Growthpad Ltd, and LDRI, dedicated to revolutionizing the commercial production of African nightshade (Managu) and Jute Mallow (Mrenda) using innovative technologies.
The UPSCALE-AIVs project targets enhancing food and nutrition security, addressing malnutrition, and promoting the export of dried vegetables to Kenyan communities abroad. With a focus on Kakamega and Kiambu counties, the project also aims to elevate the economic status of local farmers and boost Kenya’s development.
Through collaborative efforts with IREN Growthpad Ltd, JKUAT, MMUST, and LDRI, supported by the NRF, the consortium envisions a significant impact on consumer well-being and the agricultural landscape in Kenya.
NRF, in alignment with Kenya’s development goals outlined in Vision 2030, Medium-Term Plans, and the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), has tailored its funding programs to target key research priorities essential for national progress.
The NRF call was designed in collaboration with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) through the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), emphasizing strategic partnerships and impactful research outcomes in the region.
