Bees are social insects that play a key role as pollinators of about 74% food crops and approximately 80% contribution to bee forage trees in Africa. However, the population of bees has been on the decline at a very alarming rate. Some of the key lessons learnt in the training was to address these challenges.
The Department of LARMAT hosted the Director of Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of Edinburgh, Prof.Geoff Simm and the Head of Jameel Observatory based at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Dr. Guyo Malicha Roba on November 28, 2023. The meeting focused on possible areas of collaboration between the University of Nairobi and University of Edinburgh, and in particular the Jameel Observatory.
Staff, Students and LARMAT Alma Mater on 21st November 2021 participated in the EU- LANDMARC Regional Stakeholder Workshop, held at ICRAF headquarters Kenya. The regional stakeholder’s engagement organized by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) focused on enriching understanding of land-based mitigation technologies (LMTs), practices, and their contribution towards High ambitions to reduce global warming by 1.50c.
Jeph Odhiambo a student leader and fresh graduate at LARMAT, has always dreamt of expanding his horizons and acquiring knowledge in the field, he was passionate about- agriculture. Born and raised in Kenya, he knew that in order to make a significant impact in the agricultural sector, he needed to pursue higher education beyond his undergraduate degree. After months of research and planning, Jeph decided to set his sights on Israel, a country renowned for its advanced agricultural practices and cutting-edge research in arid regions.
Vincent Kipkirui, a MSc student in. Land and Water Management at the Department of Land Resources Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT), University of Nairobi represented Kenya and Transfo Green World, Kericho in the United Nations Convention on Trade and Development meeting held in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates from 16th – 202th October, 2023.
Dr. Oscar Koech, from the Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology and Dr. Sophy Ngala from Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology received visitors from Yunnan Agricultural University, at the dean’s office, Faculty of Agriculture. The visit by the team from Yunnan Agricultural University, China had a mutual discussion on how Kenya and China could collaborate in Agriculture and environment fields, with technology, innovation, and development research and capacity development being key areas of great opportunities!
Many times we watch and abet land degradation in Maasai Mara, through overgrazing exacerbated by lack of early land degradation warning system. Urgent Rehabilitation efforts are needed to save the renowned Maasai Mara Landscape. Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA).
Dr Oscar Koech, from the Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology from 30 October to 2 November 2023 attended the Mid-term coordination meeting for the RAF5090 - Supporting Climate Change Adaptation for Communities through Integrated Soil–Cropping–Livestock Production Systems (AFRA) regional project. The project is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Faculty of Agriculture on 25 and 26th October 2023 held a Successful Agro conference 2023. It was a great moment for the Department of LARMAT to present over 30 abstracts, with an award winning Poster presentation by PhD Candidate in Range Management, Ms. Margeret Nyaga in this Department. The conference brought out a learning opportunity through discussion with experts, scientists, practitioners on matters of food security, food safety and Sustainable food systems.
During the Midterm evaluation meeting for the project, Supporting Climate Change Adaptation for Communities through Integrated Soil–Cropping–Livestock Production Systems (AFRA) regional project, great lessons from Egyptian land that has been farmed over 1000 years! Yet productivity remains high and soil fertility remains well managed!
