African Economic Research Consortium AERC Collaborates with Egerton University on Value Addition in Agribusiness

Established in 1988, African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is a public not-for-profit organization devoted to the advancement of economic research and training that inform economic policies in Africa. While the pace and depth of economic growth has generally improved in Africa, poverty levels remain pervasive for many countries and there is a general lack of inclusivity in growth. This scenario has been exacerbated by the COVID19 pandemic which has affected all sectors of African economies. Cognizant that the agriculture sector is the mainstay of African economies, the AERC and Egerton University partnered to deliver the thesis dissemination workshop and the farmer training to help commercialize the Kenyan agriculture from 14^th to 16^th March 2022.

Egerton University Farmer Training organizers pose for a group photo with farmers from Kisii, Meru, Siaya, Uashin Gishu, Laikipia, Bomet, Kericho, Nyandarua, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans-Mara, Kiambu and Nakuru Counties on 14 March after a training session at Main Campus in Njoro.

The thesis dissemination workshop held on 14^th March 2022 provided a platform for the dissemination and discussion of thesis research findings of graduates of the Collaborative Masters in Agricultural and Applied Economics (CMAAE) Programme. The stakeholders included policymakers, farmers, NGOs, the academia, SACCOs and financial intuitions, among others. The workshop was graced by Prof. Bernard O. Aduda, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Egerton University and Prof. Patience Mlongo Mshenga, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Egerton University. The dissemination workshop was moderated by Prof. Hillary Bett, Professor of Agribusiness at the Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, Egerton University and Dr. Eric Gido from the same department.

In his welcome remarks, DVC applauded the AERC and the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Egerton University, noting that a feedback session was important in sharing research findings with the stakeholders. He was happy to note that the AERC supported Egerton university through student scholarship awards, offering of elective courses, student internships, faculty research grants, faculty retooling workshops, and faculty exchange grants, among others.

The Farmer Training was held 0n 15^th and 16^th March 2022, and was facilitated by Mr. Joshua Kibet and graced by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Prof. Bockline Omedo Bebe. The practical components of the training were offered by Ms. Florence Mwachugha, the Sub-County Agricultural Officer, Njoro and Mr. Joseph Mwangi, a horticulture farmer from Njoro sub-County. 

The training, held at the ARC Hotel, of Egerton University attracted farmers from across 15 counties in Kenya.  The represented counties included Kisii, Meru, Siaya, Uashin Gishu, Laikipia, Bomet, Kericho, Nyandarua, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans-Mara, Kiambu and Nakuru.  The farmers represented a wide range of agricultural enterprises which cut across a wide range of both animal and plant farming. The main areas of training included good agricultural practices, role and status of agribusiness financing in Kenya, financial literacy, farming as a business, financial management in agribusiness, credit management in agribusiness, investing in agribusiness, farm records management and risk management.