Kilifi, Kenya 9th April; The Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) and Pwani University have entered into a strategic partnership to boost food security and transform the grain value chain across Kenya’s Coast region. The collaboration will focus on six counties; Tana River, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale linking academic research with agribusiness to create a tangible impact for farmers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Gerald Masila, Executive Director of EAGC, emphasized the partnership’s potential: “At EAGC, we believe innovation and collaboration are key to overcoming bottlenecks in the grain sector. This partnership is a major breakthrough for the Coastal counties in Kenya, it will improve post-harvest handling, enhance market access, and uplift livelihoods.”

Central to this partnership is a shared vision, using climate-smart technologies, innovation, and market linkages to empower farming communities. Pwani University’s research and innovations will now be commercialized and scaled, offering practical solutions to reduce post-harvest losses, improve grain quality, and open up market opportunities.

Prof. Mlewa Mwatete, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Extension, at Pwani University, echoed this vision: “Our research is ready to move from lab to land. This partnership allows us to scale our innovations and create lasting value for farming communities while building a resilient, knowledge-driven agribusiness sector.”

Farmers in the region will benefit from agribusiness exhibitions, crop and livestock demonstrations, equipment displays, and training sessions all designed to build capacity and improve productivity. The initiative will promote business-to-business forums, connecting farmers directly to buyers for immediate produce offtake or forward contracts.

The partnership includes joint research publications, youth apprenticeship programs, and conferences to demonstrate and scale up innovation into enterprise creating jobs for youth and women while growing the agribusiness sector. EAGC and Pwani University will also collaborate on resource mobilization to support mutual goals. The first major event under this MoU will be held on August 7, 2025, at Pwani University. It will showcase best practices in sustainable food systems and climate-resilient farming, and link farmers with buyers and technology providers.

The first major event under this MoU will be held on August 7, 2025, at Pwani University. It will showcase best practices in sustainable food systems and climate-resilient farming, and link farmers with buyers and technology providers.