Researchers and innovators have joined forces with industry players to find a solution to the effects of climate change and declining food security.
The 40 experts met at a Research, Innovation and Digital Agri-Expo at Mount Kenya University.
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute director general Calvin Onyango and Universities Funding Board Geoffrey Monari were among the experts present.
MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi has taken the initiative to grow medicinal plants in its botanical garden.
He said research has proved that bathing soap can be made from aloe vera and bamboo extracts.
“The academia is vital in enhancing innovations, commercialisation of scientific or research outcomes for socio-economic growth, knowledge transfer and value-addition," Jaganyi said.
The VC said there must be strong synergy between academia and industry players to foster the much needed socio-economic development.
He said research and innovation are the drivers of economic development.
“Banks, schools, hotels, construction sites, small scale and large-scale farmers, hospitals, engineers, the entire transport sector and the ICT sector are the industry players and partners in this endeavour,” Jaganyi said.
He appealed for more funding towards research and innovation from the government.
"We know the government has many things to do including financing research and innovation. When more funds are available, realisation of our goals will be easy," the VC said.
Onyango said KIRDI has partnered with universities to share information and create linkages between young innovators and the industrial market.
“We are offering incubation services where students come and use our facilities and gain the confidence to go out into the market for them to grow and create jobs,” he said.
Monari said his organisation has partnered with donors to support innovators on issues of climate change, food security and health.
“Over the years innovators have not been supported financially and that is what we are now focusing on. We also want universities to become more entrepreneurial,” he said.