In a step towards enhancing innovative agricultural practices and student training, Egerton University welcomed a delegation from the Arava International Centre for Agricultural Training (AICAT) on Monday, January 29, 2024. Led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic, Research and Extension), Prof. Bernard O. Aduda, Egerton University received the esteemed guests to discuss potential collaborations in the field of agriculture.

BY.ERIC SINDABI

The Library Department is showcasing a collection of books on environmental conservation and climate change at the Reference and Information Services section, Main Library. The aim of this special display is to sensitise the University community on the importance of environmental conservation and the effects of climate change.

The display according to the In-charge Readers’ Services Division Ms Sally Kiplangat, is in line with the ongoing global attention on the effects of climate change and the need for stakeholders to rethink their mandate in putting up sustainable environmental protection measures and policies as well as dealing with the effects of climate change.

“The Library hopes that the special display will inspire a reading culture and research on environmental protection and climate change’’, she said.

Egerton University is a leading environmental conservation and protection stakeholder in Kenya. Through the University’s “Run for the Mau Cross-Country” annual event, it raises funds and awareness towards the conservation of the Mau Complex Forest and the resident Njoro River that cuts through the University vicinity.

On 13^th November 2023 the university hosted a tree planting event in which over 6,000 trees were planted to mark the National Tree Growing Day.

The event was in line with the Universitty’s “Adopt A Forest” initiative to support the 15billion Presidential Tree Planting Campaign. The initiative was launched on May 18^th 2023 by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi accompanied by PS Parliamentary Affairs Aurelia Rono, PS State Department for Basic Education Dr.Richard Kipsang, Nakuru County Deputy Governor Hon. Dr.Davis Kones and Njoro Member of Parliament Charity Kathambi.

Egerton University has improved in the latest Webometric World University Rankings. Surpassing its previous position, the University ranked at 4^th in Kenya, 71^st in Africa, and 2,374^th globally. This progress showcases a noteworthy improvement from the July 2023 rankings, where Egerton University stood at 4^th in Kenya, 85^th in Africa, and 2,606^th worldwide.

NAME OF EVENT: EGERTON UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVEBOARD MEETING

DATE:   3^RD FEBRUARY 2024

VENUE: MILELE RESORT NAKURU

TIME: 10:00 AM

On Saturday, February 3, 2024, the Alumni Association of Egerton University convened for a pivotal reflection session aimed at enhancing member welfare and assessing its strategic plan and budget. Chaired by Dr. Richard Rop, the meeting spotlighted the association's remarkable achievements and outlined plans for future growth.

In a bid to foster collaboration and enhance educational initiatives, Egerton University's Director of Research, Prof. Nancy Mungai, embarked on a fruitful visit to Gulu University. The rendezvous aimed to explore synergies between the two institutions and advance transformative strategies in African agriculture, aligning with the overarching goal of contributing to Africa's growth and development.

This is to remind you that the portal for registration of Semester II,2023/2024 Academic Year and Retakes closes Monday,12th February 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Egerton University, Faculty of Agriculture and HAMK University, Finland are offering 2 opportunities for short term (4 months) international credit mobility to undergraduate students from the Faculty of Agriculture, Egerton University. The mobility is tenable for the 2024 Autumn Semester from August-December, 2024 in HAMK University, Finland.

9th Mau - Egerton University Cross Country Click 

In the picturesque landscapes of rural Kenya, smallholder farmers are embarking on a journey towards sustainable agriculture. Armed with determination and resilience, they are weaving together a tapestry of practices aimed at enhancing crop yield while safeguarding precious soil fertility. Yet, amidst this noble endeavor, a crucial question lingers: What factors drive the adoption of these sustainable practices, and what are their real-world impacts?

Enter a team of researchers: Gideon Aiko Obare (Egerton University, Kenya), Wilckyster Nyateko Nyarindo (University of Embu, Kenya) Amin Mugera and Atakelty Hailu (University of Western Australia, Australia), and Their complex yet insightful  study, published in a prestigious Agricultural Economics journal, offers a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of sustainable agricultural intensification (SAI) adoption among smallholder maize-legume producers in Kenya.

Through a meticulous three-wave panel survey, the researchers delve deep into the adoption patterns and outcomes of ten SAI practices, clustered into five distinct groups. Employing sophisticated statistical models, they dissect the plot-level choices of farmers, shedding light on the underlying factors driving adoption decisions.

What emerges from their analysis is a nuanced portrait of smallholder farming realities. Factors such as the frequency of extension contacts, farm labor availability, household wealth, and the education level of household heads emerge as pivotal influencers, positively shaping the adoption of SAI practices.

Conversely, challenges such as land tenure insecurity and poor soil quality cast a shadow, highlighting the complex interplay of socio-economic and environmental factors at play.

But the study's insights extend beyond mere adoption trends. By employing a multinomial endogenous treatment effects model, the researchers uncover a kaleidoscope of outcomes across the five SAI clusters.

From variations in crop yield and revenue to fluctuations in total variable costs and net income, the study paints a vivid picture of the diverse impacts of sustainable farming practices. Importantly, these impacts are not uniform, varying according to crop systems, geographical regions, and cropping years.

However, amidst this variability lies a glimmer of hope. The study challenges the notion of a one-size-fits-all extension approach, advocating instead for participatory policies that empower farmers to co-create and disseminate locally adaptable SAI bundles.

By tailoring interventions to suit the unique needs and preferences of each community, policymakers and extension agents can unlock the full potential of sustainable agriculture.

Indeed, the implications of this research are profound. As the global community grapples with the twin challenges of food security and climate change, initiatives that empower smallholder farmers to embrace sustainable practices take on added significance.

With insights gleaned from studies such as this, stakeholders are better equipped to chart a course towards a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable agricultural future.

Story by: Kurian Musa, Egerton University.

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Approved Fees Structure Effective 2023/2024 Academic Year

By Naomi Chebiwot Chelanga and Carolyne Nafula Kisaka, Doctoral Scholars at Egerton University, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management.

In a remarkable stride towards academic enrichment and cross-cultural exchange, we, Naomi Chebiwot Chelanga and Carolyne Nafula Kisaka, are elated to announce our selection for a prestigious 4-month scholarship at the University of Pavia under the esteemed Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility K171 program.                  

BY ERIC SINDABI

Supporting colleagues’ morally, socially and financially is a noble gesture. This was observed during the colourful 20^th Annual General Meeting of the Egerton University Library Staff Welfare Association held on December 8^th 2023 at the CoELIB Conference Hall.

Patron of the welfare, the University Librarian, Mrs  Janegrace Kinyanjui urged the members to consider uplifting the welfare’s objectives to a higher level through ample savings and sincere commitment. She noted that it was important for the members to continue supporting each other because as colleagues, they are like a family.

The patron further encouraged the welfare members to cultivate an avid savings and borrowing culture through the welfare’s savings and credit scheme to uplift the financial sustainability and liquidity status of the welfare. She however cautioned the members against defaulting borrowed money because it was unethical to refuse to repay borrowed money from anyone or public entity.

The Chairperson of the group Mr.George Kira while thanking the patron and members for their continued support for the continuity of the welfare, observed that the activities of the welfare had drastically been affected by the unprecedented financial challenges that gripped members and the University since the year 2020 Covid 19 pandemic devastative effects.

“This peculiarity devastated members and interfered with their financial obligations including contributing to their savings scheme and loans repayments to the welfare’’ said the Chairperson adding that the welfare management discussed with  the affected  members on a personal level where some pledged to differ  their savings contributions and loan repayments.

Thirty members out of the current fifty two graced the occasion while the occasion was also used to host a send-off party to four members who recently retired from the University. Egerton University Staff Welfare Association was mooted in the year 2003 as a social welfare group. Its objectives include offering moral and social support to members while engaging in small scale savings, credit and investment activities.

Members come together to support sick or bereaved members morally and financially and also support and encouragement to members holding social functions like graduation, marriage, ‘house-warming’ and other individual ceremonies. The welfare conducts its financial operations through a savings account at the Egerton University Savings and Credit Cooperation.

Egerton University played host to a delegation from Seychelles led by the Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change, and Environment, Mr. Flavien Joubert, on February 27, 2024. The visit aimed at exploring avenues of partnership between the two entities. 

Status Report On The Njoro River Rehabilitation