Kenyans have been urged to embrace AI in agriculture in a bid to bridge the food shortage gap in the country. According to Mount Kenya University (MKU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, incorporating technology in every aspect of our lives, more so agriculture, is the surest way of addressing food shortage in Kenya.
Speaking during an interdisciplinary conference on Thursday, September 25 at MKU Nakuru campus, Prof. Jaganyi underscored that embracing technology would solve many problems in a modern society.
“We are living in a time of unprecedented change. From precision agriculture that optimises crop yields with minimal wastage, to telemedicine expanding access to health care, from solar panels powering communities, to business models prioritising both profit and planet, technology is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity for building a more sustainable future,” Prof. Jaganyi noted.
The hybrid conference, conducted online and by physical attendance, saw scholars make presentations on an array of fields, including:
- Agri-Tech innovations: cultivating the future of food.
- Sustainable agribusiness: feeding the world protecting the planet.
- Climate – smart agriculture: building sustainable food systems.
- Food security and agricultural resilience: strategies for a changing world.
- One health in action: addressing the interconnectedness of animal, human, and
environmental health. - Precision animal health: leveraging technology for proactive and personalized care.
- Building resilient animal health systems: preparedness, response, and recovery.
Prof. Jaganyi lauded the organisers of the conference, describing it as not just an academic exercise, but a catalyst for change.
“They [such conferences] create platforms for inter-disciplinary collaborations where diverse expertise converge to generate solutions that no single field or study could achieve alone.”
On her part, MKU Nakuru Campus Director Dr. Jacqueline Omuya assured that the institution will be at the forefront of initiating and supporting researches that fuel innovation to transform Kenyan communities.
“At Mount Kenya University, we embrace a culture where ideas meet action, where research fuels innovation, and collaborations spark lasting solutions,” Dr. Omuya said. “This conference is more than a meeting of minds, it is a launchpad for solutions that can transform communities.”
“The University is at the frontline of conducting research and disseminating findings that are transforming lives. Through research, our academic scholars share their expertise and develop groundbreaking innovations, which we showcase every year during the MKU Research Conference, as well as in other forums such as the one we are attending today,” said Dr. Allan Mweke, Researcher, MKU Nakuru Campus.
MKU is a research and training guided university.
Article by : Micheal Majanga TV47
https://www.tv47.digital/embrace-technology-to-address-food-shortage-mku-vc-prof-jaganyi-119110
