A delegation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), led by Andre Ntamack, Director Rural Development and Natural Resources (RNDR), Washington visited Egerton University to review ongoing projects funded by the USDA. The team was welcomed by university officials, with Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Research and Extension, Prof. Bernard Aduda. The visit highlighted the USDA’s commitment to advancing agricultural research and development in Africa, particularly through innovative fields such as biotechnology and gene editing.
Andre Ntamack, an agricultural science expert based in Washington, D.C., underscored the USDA’s increasing focus on biotechnology and gene editing as part of its mission to enhance global food security. Ntamack, who is of African descent, emphasized the value of building research capacity to improve food security across the continent. "It’s crucial to go beyond research and develop solutions that can truly benefit the communities where we work," Ntamada said. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with Egerton University in biotechnology, believing that the partnership could leverage Egerton’s expertise to effectively address food security challenges.
Ntamack further pointed out that Africa is becoming an important hub for agricultural innovation, and he acknowledged Egerton University’s leadership in agricultural education and research on the continent. He emphasized that the collaboration with Egerton would significantly contribute to solving food security issues.
During the meeting, Prof. Joshua Ogendo, Principal of Egerton University’s Nakuru City Campus, highlighted an ongoing partnership between Egerton University and American institutions that allows students to participate in agricultural research. He noted that this initiative has promoted knowledge exchange and created valuable learning opportunities for students.
Also present at the event was Carol Kamau from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. Prof. Aduda expressed his gratitude for the USDA’s support and stressed the importance of continued collaboration between Egerton University and international partners like the USDA. "We are grateful for the USDA’s support, and it’s clear that we share a deep connection in education, research, and exchange programs. Today’s discussions have shown that we are indeed like family," said Prof. Aduda. He also announced that Egerton University would honor Carol Kamau with an honorary alumni status for her contributions to research and community service.
Several other Egerton University faculty members attended the meeting, including Prof. Nzula Kitaka, Director of Marketing and Resource Mobilization; Prof. Paul Kimurto, Director of the Agro-Science Park; Dr. Maurice Oyoo; Dr. Miriam Charimbu; and Dr. Wamalwa. They provided updates on various agricultural programs and discussed initiatives aimed at boosting the university's research capacity and knowledge transfer.
Prof. Kitaka emphasized the importance of collaborations with organizations like the USDA, stating, "Partnerships with international organizations enhance our research and offer invaluable opportunities for our students."
The USDA’s visit underscored Egerton University’s standing as a leader in agricultural innovation in Africa. With its strong reputation for excellence in agricultural research and training, Egerton is well-positioned to benefit from its partnership with the USDA, which seeks to promote sustainable agriculture and address food security challenges across Africa.
This collaboration between Egerton University and the USDA aims to create and implement innovative solutions to tackle some of Africa’s most critical agricultural challenges. The visit not only reaffirmed the strong relationship between the two institutions but also marked a promising step toward a more food-secure future.
