In the next two days, two high school students will be selected to represent Kenya at the Iowa State Global Youth Institute Conference in October. This opportunity comes as part of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the World Food Prize Foundation-Kenya Youth Institute (WFPF-KYI) initiative to engage young minds in tackling global food security challenges.
The two-day Food Security Youth Conference, organized by KALRO and WFPF-KYI, brought together student innovators and teachers from across Kenya. The event aimed to explore and present youth-led innovations on food security, climate change, and nutrition. Dr. Eliud Kireger, KALRO’s Director-General, emphasized the importance of empowering youth with knowledge, platforms, and mentorship to drive climate-smart, technology-driven, and sustainable agriculture.
This year’s conference saw the participation of 95 schools, with over 120 teachers trained and 129 student projects submitted. Of these, 69 projects were selected for presentation and evaluation based on their originality, scientific rigor, and potential impact. The event not only fosters mentorship but also builds research and communication skills in students.
John Wogman, Senior Program Manager for Global Youth Programs and Partnerships at the World Food Prize Foundation, highlighted the critical role young people play in the food system. He noted that the foundation engages over 1,800 students annually through the youth institute model, encouraging them to write research papers and present their findings in various forums. This process helps students develop essential skills such as writing, research, public speaking, and analysis of global food insecurity drivers.
The conference also addressed the need for knowledge transfer between the older and younger generations in the agriculture sector. Jan Lowe, the 2016 World Food Prize co-laureate, stressed the importance of engaging youth in all aspects of the food system, from science and policy-making to advocacy. With the world facing unprecedented food security crises, involving young people in these processes is crucial.
Verenardo Meeme, Programme Officer for the AATF’s Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), spoke about the importance of informing young people about biotechnology and other emerging agricultural technologies. He emphasized the need to counter misinformation and disinformation about biotechnology and to prepare the next generation of scientists and researchers to make evidence-based decisions.
The implications of this conference and the selection of the two students are significant. By engaging young minds in addressing food security challenges, Kenya is investing in its future agricultural leaders. These students will have the opportunity to present their research papers at an international conference, gaining exposure and experience that will be invaluable in their future careers. Moreover, the focus on youth-led innovations and the emphasis on mentorship and skill-building will contribute to a more sustainable and food-secure future for Kenya and the world.