At a time when the world is grappling with rising food insecurity, climate shocks, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, Strathmore University and the University of Notre Dame (Indiana, USA) brought together scholars, innovators, and government officials for the inaugural AGTech Symposium on Food Equity and Agriculture through Sustainable Technologies.

At the heart of the symposium was a call for agriculture to embrace the circular economy, where waste becomes a resource, technology amplifies resilience, and innovation restores balance between people and planet.  From precision farming and renewable energy to regenerative practices that restore soils and livelihoods, the symposium highlighted how sustainable technologies can unlock a fairer, more resilient food system for Africa and the world.

Held on August 13, 2025, at Strathmore University, the symposium marked a milestone in advancing agricultural innovation through global partnerships. Dr. Eng. Julius Butime, Dean of the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, underscored the urgency of integrating sustainability and technology in agriculture.

He emphasised the importance of agriculture, the role it plays, and acknowledged that the conversation was timely.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economies, our cultures, and our future. If we do not urgently integrate sustainability and technology into this sector, we risk losing the very foundation on which our societies thrive,” said Dr. Butime.

On his part, Dr. Gabriel Burks, Assistant Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, called on participants to push beyond theory into tangible solutions that reach farmers and communities.

His presentation on “Sustainable and Responsible Polymer Technologies in Agriculture” delved into the ethics of agricultural innovation, reminding participants that technologies must be designed for efficiency, equity, environmental responsibility, and resilience.

“My research focuses on ensuring that the polymer technologies we introduce into agriculture are as sustainable and responsible as they are innovative,” he explained. “Because if we get the material wrong, we risk creating new environmental challenges for tomorrow.”

Dr. Burks’ reflections pushed the audience to consider the long-term consequences of innovation, stressing that solutions for today must not become the problems of tomorrow.

Dr. Freddie Acosta, Senior Lecturer of Technology & Innovation Management at Strathmore Business School, presented on “Circular Economy in the Agricultural Sector,” using Regan Organic, a company committed to transforming agriculture, cities, and communities through circular practices, as his case study.

Dr. Acosta was blunt in his assessment: “The solution to our problem is the garbage problem.” With Nairobi producing 2,400 tonnes of waste every day, he argued that much of this could be redirected into agricultural value chains to tackle food insecurity and climate change in emerging economies.

“We have to play our part. Personally, I am using my kitchen waste for value. I keep rabbits, grow vegetables and utilise Effective Microorganisms (EM) technology, tapping into beneficial, naturally occurring microorganisms to enhance my agricultural production,” he shared.

Dr. Acosta outlined opportunities in the circular economy, from green jobs and renewable energy to digital platforms that enable efficient waste management. But he also acknowledged the barriers: limited infrastructure, weak consumer awareness, and funding gaps that stifle start-ups.

“We have low public knowledge on waste segregation and recycling, and most start-ups in this sector struggle to secure investments for scaling their solutions,” he said.

Prof. Vincent Omwenga, Research Director at Strathmore’s School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, shifted the conversation to policy and innovation. He argued that the agricultural sector is under siege from climate shocks and weak regulatory frameworks that fail to align with emerging global sustainability standards.

“Agriculture faces climate shocks, weak policies, and slow uptake of innovations that could drive resilience and efficiency,” said Prof. Omwenga. He stressed that one major reason for poor uptake is that technology often overlooks the people it is intended to serve.

“In a study we carried out in Laikipia County, we found language barriers and low uptake of the smart gadgets the tech was deployed in,” he explained. “Innovation should be contextual and should use the language that resonates with the people.”

To improve adoption, Prof. Omwenga recommended integrating traditional climate adaptation knowledge with technology and extension services. He also highlighted the implementation gap.

“We don’t lack policies in the global south. We have implementation challenges. For instance, when farmers face agricultural losses, they lack incentives to cushion their losses.”

Calling for a “triple helix” approach of government, industry, and academia, he urged the establishment of public-private innovation hubs for rapid scaling of climate-smart solutions, along with building farmers’ capacity to adopt sustainable practices.

Adding to this, Dr. Bramwell Wanjala, Senior Research Scientist at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), emphasized the critical need for stronger linkages between research institutions and farming communities.

“We have insufficient linkages between research and the community. There is a need to diversify our agricultural products, mechanise our agriculture to enhance production, and acknowledge that we cannot entirely rely on rainfall for agriculture,” Dr. Wanjala said. His remarks underscored that resilience in African agriculture will depend not only on technology, but also on collaboration and diversification.

The symposium also featured presentations from Dr. Damaris Mbie, Associate Professor and Thematic Head of Physical Chemistry, University of Nairobi, and Dr. Richard Magwanga, Associate Director at the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnership, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. Their insights underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration and bridging the gap between academia and farmers, while revealing a strong appetite for research consortia and joint projects.

By convening diverse voices from academia, research institutions, innovators, and government, the symposium planted the seeds of a new agricultural paradigm that sees sustainability and equity as inseparable.

As climate pressures intensify and food systems strain under growing demand, initiatives like this remind us that solutions exist and that they begin with collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to equity.

Article written by Stephen Wakhu.