Researchers in local universities have intensified efforts to deepen youth involvement in agriculture to ensure a food-secure future.

Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium (KUBICO) has initiated an award programme to recognise performing students in Biotechnology courses as part of this process.

It recently recognised top-performing students from the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University and Egerton University and confirmed plans to expand the activity into a national award scheme and include Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Masinde Muliro and Maseno universities.

KU Registrar in charge of Research, Richard Oduor, said, owing to the increased interest by students in pursuing biotechnology courses, efforts need to be fast-tracked to recognise the youth.

“Recognising the students employed will enhance their desire even to do more research to solve challenges facing the agriculture sector in the country,” he said.

Oduor, who spoke during the awarding of the top-performing biotechnology students at a Nairobi hotel, noted that the future of biotechnology is rapidly advancing, with growing interest and innovation across disciplines.

“In the 21st Century, we are witnessing new emerging innovations. Therefore, we are appealing to youth interested in these fields to take advantage of appreciating in addition to adopting them,” added Oduor who is also a professor of Molecular and Cell Biology.

Biotechnology is gaining momentum globally, especially following the introduction and approval of genetically modified crops (GMOs) in some countries. In Kenya the matter is yet to be fully resolved to allow full commercialisation of GMOs.

Kubico Secretary General and a lead of the Greater Biotechnology Programme at the University of Nairobi, Joel Ochieng, explained that the awarding of best performing students is meant to contribute to the deepening of agricultural research.

 “Biotechnology is a key sub-sector in promoting food security in Kenya and therefore the need to train more experts and as well encourage aspiring young people,” he stated.

Amos Phares, a student in Kenyatta University taking a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology, lauded the award, saying biotechnology is key in the efforts to tame the misconceptions and misinformation in society.

“And therefore, if at all we can focus on the benefits that biotechnology can grant us as a country, continent, it can be so beneficial. Most of the countries in our continent are referred to as the global south. That means we are not advancing biotechnology and we are not good at maybe doing things in accordance to the advanced way of the world,” he said.