The opening of the 2nd KALRO Scientific Conference and Innovation Expo 2026 delivered a powerful challenge to Kenya’s research and innovation community. Speaking on behalf of Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Rono Kiprono emphasized that food security remains one of the country’s most critical priorities.
“Food security is the real security, more than any other security in Kenya,” he stated.
His remarks highlighted the urgent need for research that not only generates knowledge but also delivers practical solutions that improve livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and support sustainable food systems. He further challenged scientists to expand their focus beyond Kenya’s traditional agricultural regions and intensify research efforts in arid and semi-arid lands, where climate change continues to pose significant threats to agricultural productivity and community livelihoods.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Farmers
One of the recurring themes throughout the conference was the importance of ensuring that scientific research translates into real-world impact. For many farmers, access to timely and reliable information remains one of the biggest barriers to productivity and resilience.
This is where digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence can play a transformative role.
The Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Centre (SAFIC) participated in the conference through an exhibition showcase and a side event titled “AI in Agriculture: Opportunities, Implications and Risks.” The engagement provided an opportunity to demonstrate how emerging technologies can strengthen agricultural advisory systems and support data-driven decision-making across the agrifood sector.
Understanding Kenya’s AI Agricultural Advisory Ecosystem
During the side event, SAFIC presented findings from a baseline study mapping Kenya’s AI-enabled agricultural advisory ecosystem. The study examined existing digital solutions, delivery channels, language accessibility, farmer reach, quality assurance mechanisms, business models, and critical gaps that currently limit the scale and effectiveness of AI-powered advisory services.
The findings revealed significant opportunities for collaboration among technology providers, researchers, government agencies, and development partners. Discussions focused on how shared infrastructure, trusted agricultural content, localized AI models, and stronger partnerships can reduce the cost of delivering digital advisory services while increasing their reach and impact.
AgriIntel: Delivering Actionable Knowledge to Farmers
A major highlight of SAFIC’s exhibition was AgriIntel, a digital agricultural advisory platform designed to make expert agricultural knowledge more accessible to farmers.
Farmers often face complex decisions related to crop production, pest and disease management, weather variability, input use, and market access. Without timely information, these challenges can significantly reduce productivity and profitability.
AgriIntel addresses this challenge by providing farmers with localized, practical, and timely recommendations that support better decision-making throughout the farming cycle. By transforming agricultural data and expertise into actionable insights, the platform helps farmers improve productivity, reduce risk, and adapt to changing climatic conditions.
More importantly, AgriIntel demonstrates how Artificial Intelligence can be leveraged not to replace farmers, but to empower them with the knowledge needed to thrive.
AgriAtlas: Unlocking the Power of Agricultural Data
Alongside AgriIntel, SAFIC also showcased AgriAtlas, a data and geospatial intelligence platform designed to support evidence-based agricultural planning and decision-making.
Agriculture generates vast amounts of data, yet much of it remains fragmented or underutilized. AgriAtlas seeks to bridge this gap by integrating agricultural and spatial data into accessible insights that can inform decisions by farmers, researchers, policymakers, and development organizations.
The platform enables stakeholders to better understand agricultural landscapes, identify emerging opportunities and risks, allocate resources more effectively, and design interventions that respond to local realities.
As governments and institutions increasingly rely on data-driven planning, tools such as AgriAtlas will become essential in building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
Building the Future of Agriculture Through Collaboration
The conversations at the KALRO Expo reinforced an important reality: no single organization can solve the challenges facing agriculture alone.
The future of agricultural transformation will depend on collaboration across research institutions, government agencies, technology developers, private-sector actors, and farming communities. By combining scientific research, digital innovation, and local knowledge, stakeholders can develop solutions that are both scalable and impactful.
SAFIC remains committed to advancing this vision by developing technologies that empower farmers, strengthen agricultural ecosystems, and support inclusive growth across Africa’s agrifood sector.
Looking Ahead
As Kenya continues to pursue sustainable and resilient agrifood systems, the role of innovation will become increasingly important. The challenge put forward by the Principal Secretary is clear: research must lead to impact.
Through initiatives such as AgriIntel and AgriAtlas, SAFIC is helping bridge the gap between knowledge and action, ensuring that farmers have access to the information, tools, and insights they need to make better decisions and build more resilient livelihoods.
The journey toward food security requires more than innovation it requires ensuring that innovation reaches the people who need it most. Empowering farmers with knowledge remains one of the most powerful investments we can make in securing the future of agriculture.