AgriTech4Kenya seeks to empower early-stage innovators to develop impactful solutions for smallholder farmers
In a bid to address its persistent food security challenges, Kenya has launched a new agri-tech innovation challenge. The AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge 2024, powered by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), aims to attract international innovators to develop and deploy high-impact solutions tailored for smallholder farmers and agricultural value chain players.
“Launched to bridge the gap between research and market adoption, the AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge aims to address critical challenges in Kenya’s agricultural value chain while driving economic growth, sustainability, and resilience,” said a spokesperson for AgriTech4Kenya.
The initiative is focused on technologies that are easily adoptable by farmers and value chain actors, ensuring that the developed solutions meet the specific needs of the local market. Despite its fertile land, Kenya continues to struggle with food security, with annual food imports exceeding $1.1 billion. The growing impacts of climate change and urbanization have intensified the need for innovative, localized, and market-driven agri-tech solutions.
The challenge targets key priority areas such as sustainable agricultural production, including efficient irrigation practices, livestock health, disease management, equitable finance, investment mechanisms, improved market access, and supply chain efficiency. “These focus areas are essential for tackling the unique challenges faced by Kenya’s agriculture sector and fostering the development of impactful, sustainable, and market-driven solutions,” the spokesperson added.
The AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge aligns with Kenya’s Big 4 Agenda, the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, Vision 2030, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By addressing 14 of the 17 SDGs under the agriculture sector, the initiative supports the nation’s broader development objectives.
The launch of this challenge comes at a crucial time for Kenya, as the country seeks to strengthen its agricultural sector and improve food security for its growing population. By empowering innovators to develop and deploy cutting-edge solutions, AgriTech4Kenya hopes to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future for Kenya.
