Pwani University’s New Center Boosts Kenya’s Agricultural Sector

In Summary

• State-of-the-art Agricultural Education, Research, and Innovation Center launched at Pwani University, Kilifi County.
• Partnership between Ministry of Education and Pwani University promotes smart agriculture and sustainability.
• Features modern labs, demonstration farms, and ICT infrastructure for hands-on training.
• Targets youth empowerment, food security, and climate-resilient farming in coastal Kenya.
• Challenges include scaling innovations and funding for smallholder farmers.
• Aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and 15 billion tree-planting goal by 2032.

The agricultural sector in Kenya has received a significant boost with the official launch of a state-of-the-art Agricultural Education, Research, and Innovation Center at Pwani University in Kilifi County on August 6, 2025.

Developed through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Pwani University, the facility aims to advance agricultural education, research, and innovation in the coastal region and nationwide, as announced during a ceremony led by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.

Equipped with modern laboratories, demonstration farms, and advanced ICT infrastructure, the center is designed to promote smart agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and hands-on training for students and farmers.

Kindiki emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering youth through agriculture, stating, “This center will equip young people with skills to drive agribusiness and strengthen food systems.”

The facility builds on Pwani University’s legacy as the former Kilifi Institute of Agriculture, established in 1984, which has trained over 3,837 students in tropical agriculture and related fields.

The center supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 by fostering climate-resilient agriculture, aligning with initiatives like Kisumu’s 20,000 fruit tree seedling donation and Narok’s barley farming partnership with KBL. It features demonstration plots for crops suited to Kilifi’s agro-ecological zones, such as coconut, cassava, and drought-tolerant varieties, and integrates digital tools like EOSDA Crop Monitoring for precision farming.

The AgriENGAGE project, involving Pwani University, has already established an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub, supporting over 300 enterprises since 2022, enhancing agribusiness opportunities for students and local farmers.

Funding constraints and scaling innovations to smallholders remain hurdles, with only 20% of African farmers using improved inputs, per AGRA. The center plans to address this through partnerships with KALRO, KEPHIS, and international institutions like the John Innes Centre, focusing on seed technology and pest management, as seen in Mwea’s response to apple snails.

By 2027, the center aims to train 5,000 farmers and students annually, contributing to Kenya’s food security and the 15 billion tree-planting goal by 2032. Its focus on youth, sustainability, and innovation positions Kilifi as a hub for coastal agricultural transformation, complementing regional efforts like Kenya-Zambia cooperation on seed certification and pesticide regulation.