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A photo of part of the film cast taking on set

Seeds of Change: Embracing traditional crops and de-maizing Kenya for inclusive agricultural development

: 25 February 2025; 14 April 2025; Hits: 199

The TAGDev 2.0 Program at Egerton University and Coelib Media have partnered producing an agricultural film ‘Seeds of Change’. This cultural drama short film showcases the transformative impact of the two centers of excellence, focusing on youth empowerment, agribusiness, and the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the agrifood system. The film is expected to serve as an advocacy tool, inspiring more young women and men to embrace agripreneurship while influencing policy formulation towards inclusive agricultural development that embraces traditional crops like cassava while aiming to de-maize Kenya.

The Seeds of Change film brings to light the innovative interventions spearheaded by the TAGDev Program in agribusiness and skills development. By leveraging higher education as a catalyst for agricultural transformation, For the period between 2023-2033, the program aims to skill 10,500 youth, create 25,000 jobs for young women and men and impact 68,500 farmers, with a deliberate effort to ensure at least 10% of these participants are Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and 25% are refugees and internally displaced persons.

TAGDev 2.0 Program, in partnership with CoELIB Egerton, is supporting young creatives at Egerton University, under the TAGDev Incubation hub in developing films showcasing technologies advancements, value addition, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship. Through storytelling, these young innovators are championing transformative ideas to inspire change and drive growth in the agrifood sector. CoELIB Media, a dynamic media and film production unit within Egerton University’s Centre of Excellence for Livestock Innovation and Business (CoELIB), played a major role in the production of Seeds of Change film. With a strong background in digital storytelling, CoELIB Media utilized its expertise to craft a compelling narrative that not only highlights the success of TAGDev’s interventions but also brings to life the real stories of young agripreneurs and farmers whose lives have been transformed.

**Kevin Kimani, Coelib Videographer on set during the shooting of the film**

The film Seeds of Change explores several key themes central to TAGDev’s mission, including youth skilling and agribusiness development, the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), interventions in the cassava, potato, and dairy value chains, and university-led innovations. It showcases how TAGDev 2.0 program has supported young entrepreneurs in agriculture through capacity building, funding, and mentorship while highlighting deliberate efforts to ensure PWDs actively participate in agribusiness, education, and policy engagement. Additionally, it illustrates how these agricultural value chains contribute to food security, economic empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods and how higher learning institutions, in collaboration with stakeholders in industry, are driving innovation and technology adoption in agriculture.

**Ian Kamau, the film director, guiding the cast during the production process**

Through this strategic collaboration, TAGDev 2.0 Program and CoELIB Media have successfully amplified the program’s impact, ensuring that the voices of young agripreneurs and PWDs are heard.

Written By:
Ian Kamau.
Communication Intern, TAGDev 2.0 Program, Egerton University.

Entrepreneurs during the business development capacity building program

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAM

: 18 February 2025; 25 March 2025; Hits: 249

TAGDev 2.0 Program, Egerton University, in partnership with the KCB Foundation, is conducting a comprehensive business development capacity-building program for 167 youth-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the Build Your Business Smarter initiative. The training, taking place from 17th-18th February 2025 in Egerton-Njoro and its environs, aims to equip young entrepreneurs with essential business skills, fostering job creation and economic growth. This initiative targets youth beneficiaries aged 18-34 years, who are categorized as Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs).
The training curriculum is based on a thorough Training Needs Assessment (TNA) conducted between January and early February 2025. The assessment identified critical areas that require intervention to enhance business sustainability and competitiveness. Consequently, the training covers key business development aspects, including financial literacy, record-keeping, strategic business planning, workforce development, and workforce inclusion.

**Mr. Simali Oduory , one of the business development services trainers facilitating a session with the group of young entrepreneurs**

Financial literacy and record-keeping are essential components of business success. Understanding sources of credit, financial statements, and budgeting enables entrepreneurs to make informed financial decisions. Effective cash flow management ensures that businesses remain operational and financially stable. Additionally, compliance with tax and regulatory requirements is crucial for business legitimacy and sustainability. By acquiring these financial management skills, entrepreneurs can minimize financial risks, optimize resource allocation, and enhance business growth.
Strategic business planning plays a major role in establishing and expanding businesses. Developing a formal business plan will help the entrepreneurs define their objectives, allocate resources efficiently, and track progress. Setting and reviewing business goals allows for adaptability and resilience in dynamic market environments. Entrepreneurs learn to anticipate and respond to market changes, ensuring that their businesses remain competitive. Through group exercises and business plan templates, the young entrepreneurs are gaining hands-on experience in strategic decision-making and business model development.
Workforce development and inclusion are key to ensuring a productive and diverse business environment. Training entrepreneurs enhances their skills, improves productivity, and boosts business performance. Workforce inclusion, particularly of differently abled people, ensures equal opportunities for all and contributes to a more inclusive economy. By understanding the importance of workforce training and diversity, the entrepreneurs will create a positive work culture and attract a broader talent pool, leading to innovation and growth.

**A group photo of the young entrepreneurs and trainers after successful completion of the BDS training**

The impact of this training extends beyond individual businesses. By equipping the entrepreneurs with essential business skills, the training contributes to economic empowerment and job creation. Entrepreneurs can establish sustainable enterprises, generate employment opportunities, and drive economic development in their communities. The inclusive approach of the training, such as providing baby daycare services, ensures that all entrepreneurs, including young parents, can fully participate and benefit from the program. The knowledge and skills gained through this training will enhance business sustainability, promote financial independence, and support long-term economic growth.

**One of the young mother entrepreneurs picking up her child at the Egerton University day-care services after completing her BDS training.**

Written By:
Ian Kamau.
Communication Intern, TAGDev 2.0 Program, Egerton University.

TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship 2025/2026

: 17 February 2025; 15 March 2025; Hits: 13377

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, Gulu University (Uganda), Egerton University (Kenya), Africa University (Zimbabwe), University of Free State (South Africa), Malawi University of Science and Technology (Malawi), University of Eldoret (Kenya), Uganda Martyrs University (Uganda), University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Bamenda (Cameroon), National University of Agriculture (Benin), and Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique (Morocco) are implementing a 10 year programme (2023-2033) called Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0). The programme seeks to strengthen universities and TVET institutions to better serve communities by skilling and empowering Africa’s young people and their institutions to drive inclusive, equitable and climate resilient transformation of agriculture and agrifood systems. The TAGDev 2.0 programme will support young African students that are economically disadvantaged but academically competent to access university education. The scholarship is open to both female and male applicants. However, females, refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Eligible Programmes
This call for Scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year is open to applicants interested in and eligible to study Bachelor of Science in Community Development, Bachelor of Agribusiness Management, Bachelor of Science in ,
Food Science and Technology, Master of Science in Animal Nutrition, Master of Science in Soil Science, Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering at Egerton University, Kenya.

Eligibility for Scholarships
Scholarships are open to candidates in Kenya and other East Africa Countries implementing the common East Africa Higher Education protocol (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Birundi and South Sudan) from economically disadvantaged
backgrounds. Refugees, Displaced Person (RDPs) and Persons With Disability (PWDs) are encouraged to apply. The applicant has to be in position to qualify for admission into undergraduate and/or postgraduate programmes at Egerton University. All applicants should read and thoroughly understand the admission criteria for the relevant programmes at Egerton University. Students already having a scholarship of any kind are not eligible to benefit from this scholarship opportunity. Anyone with a double scholarship if found will automatically be discontinued. Beneficiaries of TAGDev scholarships are not eligible to apply.

Egerton University DEANS,CODS,directors and TAGDev team

Strategies for improved graduate outcomes and institutional resilience at Egerton University

: 05 February 2025; 25 March 2025; Hits: 265

TAGDev 2.0 program at Egerton University on February 3, 2025, engaged Deans, Directors, and Chairs of Departments in a strategic forum to discuss ways to strengthen academic, research, and policy interventions for improved graduate outcomes and institutional resilience

The discussions were aimed at identifying institutional opportunities and actionable strategies that would ensure the university remains responsive to the changing industry and societal needs. Key areas such as curriculum alignment, graduate completion rates, policy development and implementation, inclusion & equity, research & extension services and institutionalizing entrepreneurship were discussed during the meeting.

In her welcoming remarks, the TAGDev 2.0 Program Coordinator, Prof. Nancy W. Mungai elaborated the importance of engaging the Deans, Directors and Chairs of departments, in the efforts of transforming the university in line with the vision of being “A world class university for the advancement of humanity”. She urged all members to align their actions to the vision and work towards achieving that end.

**TAGDev 2.0 Program Coordinator, Prof. Nancy W. Mungai giving her welcoming remarks during the engagement**

In his opening remarks, the DVC Academic, Research & Extension (AR&E) Prof. Bernard O. Aduda, emphasized the need for transformative education. He acknowledged the role that the TAGDev program is making at Egerton university in facilitating and leading discussion toward creating a transformative and sustainable education system. He focused on the need to understand institutional resilience, in view of Egerton university’s niche, the current ecosystem in higher agricultural education and the need to scale out efforts for competency-based curriculum (CBC).

The discussions focused on ensuring that academic programs aligned to competency-based education in preparation for the first cohort of CBC students in 2029. While Egerton University had well-structured programs, the need for continuous stakeholder consultations, industry partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities such as internships and field attachments are apparent. Regular curriculum reviews should be conducted to incorporate emerging industry trends, technological advancements, and practical skills that would improve graduates' employability. Universal approach in curriculum review and development was discussed, to ensure inclusion and equity in delivery of all programs.

Timely graduate studies completion can be improved by providing a clear roadmap to completion during orientation, efficient proposal and thesis approval processes, and access to research funding. There is a need to facilitate supervisors to ensure they actively monitor students during data collection. Given the rise of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), where data can be generated with a single click, close supervision will help ensure that graduate students engage in genuine, transformative research. Additionally, commitment to providing timely feedback and effectively tracking students' academic progress was also highlighted as a critical factor in improving completion rates.

The discussions further addressed the need for clear policy frameworks to guide academic and administrative processes. While the university had various policies in place, implementation gaps had been noted. Participants emphasized the need to review existing policies to ensure they remain relevant and effective. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of creating awareness and sensitization programs across faculties to promote proper implementation of existing policies. With strengthened monitoring and evaluation of policies, there will be effective dissemination across faculties, and fostering partnerships with government bodies, industries, private sector and philanthropists to enhance institutional capacity and funding opportunities.

**Deans, Directors, and Chairs of Departments in group discussions during the engagement**

Through strengthening partnerships between the university, industries, and communities, research outputs that address societal challenges will be realized at a greater scale. The team proposed ways to access local funding opportunities for research, enhancing the visibility of research findings, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations to solve pressing national, regional and global issues effectively.

The importance of fostering an entrepreneurial culture within the university was also highlighted, given the rising unemployment rates. Explored strategies such as establishing incubation centres, integrating entrepreneurship into curricula, and providing mentorship opportunities for students and faculty is key. The university needed to create an enabling environment where students could develop innovative solutions and commercialize their ideas, thereby generating employment.

Written By:
Ian Kamau.
Communication Intern, TAGDev 2.0 Program, Egerton University.

Egerton University