Advancing Agriculture Education, Industry Linkages, and Community Impact in 2024: UPLIFT-Ag at Taita Taveta University

In 2024, Taita Taveta University (TTU) made big strides in shaping the future of agriculture. From building industry partnerships to revamping curricula, empowering staff, and engaging local farmers. TTU is equiping graduates and stakeholders with the skills and tools needed to transform agriculture in Kenya and beyond. 

Taita Taveta University continues to play a vital role in the UPLIFT Project, linking academia, industry, and communities. In 2024, the university focused on strengthening partnerships, modernizing curricula, and enhancing capacity to address Kenya’s evolving agricultural landscape.

Key Achievements in 2024

1. Stronger Industry-University Partnerships

In 2024, TTU actively engaged with key stakeholders in agriculture and development. Notable activities included:

• Tissue Culture Laboratory Review (April, Ngerenyi): Collaboration with the Micro-Enterprise Support Programme Trust (MESPT).
• Workshops with Kenya Red Cross Society: Two major Food Security and Livelihoods conceptualization workshops in Eldoret and Voi.
• National Agriculture Summit (October, KICC): TTU facilitated a high-level panel on academia-research-industry linkages.
• Deans of Agriculture Forum: TTU helped establish a new network of agriculture deans to engage with the Agricultural Sector Network (ASNET).
• MoUs signed: TTU formalized partnerships with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and the Kenya Red Cross Society to foster collaboration in research, technology transfer, and community development.
  
  

Participants at the Biotechnology in Africa Workshop at ILRI May 2024.

TTU signed MoUs with KEFRI and KRCS to strengthen research and community engagement.

2. Advancing Agricultural Education

The TTU faculty and stakeholders co-designed modern, practical-oriented agriculture curricula that emphasize sustainability, digital agriculture, and agribusiness skills. These updates ensure TTU graduates are more market-ready, equipped with both technical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills. 

In 2024, TTU made notable curricula update through;

• Review of the BSc (Agricultural Education & Extension) and BSc (Agriculture) programmes.
• Developing and review of the new MSc in Food Security.
• Submitted the PhD in Crop Science for accreditation to the Commission for University Education (CUE).
• Began resource investments, including book acquisitions, to support PhD and Master’s programmes in agriculture and environment.

3. Driving Innovation and Building Capacity

In 2024, TTU strengthened its position as a hub for agricultural innovation by combining entrepreneurship support with hands-on training for students, farmers, and staff. The university rolled out a call for student innovation proposals and equipped incubation centres at Mariwenyi and Ngerenyi, giving young innovators space and tools to test new ideas.

A highlight of the year was the official launch of the Tissue Culture Laboratory at Ngerenyi Campus on October, 2024. The facility is designed not only for biotechnology research but also for commercial use, offering farmers access to disease-free planting materials.
To ensure sustainability, three intern technicians (two women and one man) underwent seven months of intensive training in advanced laboratory skills.

Beyond the lab, TTU also focused on problem-solving and knowledge transfer. A Problem-Based Learning workshop helped faculty integrate real-world challenges into their teaching.

The Food Security Assessment and Analysis training in Taveta (August,  2024) equipped 19 participants (10 women and 9 men) with practical tools to identify and respond to food security risks in the region.

Together, these initiatives strengthened TTU’s role in nurturing innovation, building skills, and creating lasting impact for both students and communities.

Participants at the Food Security training (left) and Trainees showcasing their certification (right)

Official opening of the Tissue Culture Labaratory (left) and Inside the Tissue Culture Laboratory (right)

4. Communication and Outreach

TTU used multiple platforms to share project updates and engage audiences, including:

• Participation in national agriculture summits and conferences (e.g., National Agriculture Summit, Machakos University Conference).
• Publication of project brochures, social media content, and LinkedIn updates.
• Contributions to the UPLIFT project website to showcase progress and impact.

Looking Ahead: TTU’s 2025 Vision

In 2025, Taita Taveta University will:

• Deepen partnerships with industry and counties.
• Expand digital agriculture integration in teaching and research.
• Scale up farmer outreach and extension services.
• Strengthen faculty development programs.

Closing Note

Taita Taveta University’s 2024 milestones reflect the university’s commitment to equipping graduates, influencing policy, and empowering communities. By connecting academia, industry, and farmers, TTU is driving agricultural transformation and positioning itself as a leader in agricultural innovation under the UPLIFT-Ag Project.