News

On 14 August 2025, the First Lady of Kenya, H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto, officially launched the Kantaria Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (KATIC) at the University of Nairobi’s Upper Kabete campus. The Centre is a landmark initiative spearheaded by Elgon Kenya, a valued Strategic Partner of CWEIC, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi.

KATIC is designed as a hub for agricultural innovation, youth empowerment, and industry–academia collaboration, providing cutting-edge training in modern farming technologies, including the use of drones for precision agriculture.

The facility, funded by Elgon Kenya at a cost of Sh80 million, sits on a one-acre piece of land and features a demonstration farm to enable practical learning. Dr Bimal Kantaria reveals that teaching the use of drones in farms has already commenced. “It is a three-month course, and several students as well as farmers have already graduated with certificates,” he says. Drones, as essential tools in modern agriculture, allow farmers to monitor crop health through aerial imaging. They detect pest or disease infestations at an early stage, and assess water stress using multispectral cameras. The device also supports farmland mapping, irrigation management, and the precise application of fertilisers and pesticides, to minimise wastage of inputs.

Speaking at the launch, Elgon Kenya Managing Director, Dr Bimal Kantaria, noted:

“KATIC is our legacy project, built to empower the next generation of farmers and entrepreneurs. By linking industry and academia, we want to show young people the latest in agriculture, equip them with entrepreneurial skills, and help them access seed capital to turn their ideas into businesses.”b

The First Lady praised the initiative as a model of how public–private partnerships can transform food security, adding that innovations developed at KATIC will be brought “into the hands of farmers” across Kenya.

With programmes ranging from drone training to climate-smart kitchen gardening, the Centre is set to become a regional benchmark for agricultural transformation, drawing interest from global partners and creating opportunities for Commonwealth collaboration in agritech, food security, and youth engagement.

As a Strategic Partner, CWEIC congratulates Elgon Kenya for this milestone achievement and looks forward to continuing to support their leadership in driving innovation across the Commonwealth.

Learn more about the centre here: https://katic.or.ke/ and find a comprehensive feature in Kenya’s leading newspaper, the Daily Nation, here.