Egerton, Nanjing Universities Train 100+ Youths in Energy-Efficient Farming

Nakuru, Kenya — September 25, 2025

In a pioneering collaboration, Egerton University and Nanjing University have launched a training programme that has equipped over 100 youth from Nakuru County with skills in energy-efficient, indoor farming techniques using LED grow lights. The initiative, backed by the China-International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aims to modernize agriculture and spur youth participation in sustainable food systems. 

The Latest

• The trainees are primarily smallholder farmers drawn from the 11 sub-counties of Nakuru. They were taught technical know-how in greenhouse farming, vertical farms, and how to adjust light spectrums for different crops. 

• The workshop was conducted by lecturers from Nanjing University alongside personnel from Egerton’s Confucius Institute. 

• Topics included management of greenhouses, LED lighting for indoor farming, smart agri-technologies, and even genomics in livestock (especially poultry) to enhance yield, nutrition and farm income. 

• Chinese Director of Egerton’s Confucius Institute, Prof Liu Yutao, stressed the technology’s potential, noting that many participants had never heard of LED-assisted farming or indoor systems. 

• The programme also highlighted advantages: indoor systems protect crops from pests, harsh weather, and land fragmentation, thereby increasing yield and promoting food security. 

Why It Matters

• Bridging generational gaps: The average age of farmers in Kenya is above 60 years. Engaging youth with modern farming methods helps ensure agriculture’s continuity and revitalization. 

• Innovation in smallholder farming: Access to controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technologies like LED lighting and vertical setups allows farmers to grow during off-seasons and in limited space.

• Climate resilience: Indoor farming buffers against erratic rainfall, pests, and extreme weather, strengthening resilience in vulnerable regions.

• Economic opportunity: Participants gain skills that can translate into viable agribusinesses—supplying high-value crops, vegetables or starter seedlings year-round.

Challenges & Considerations

• Initial investment and running costs: Greenhouses, LED systems, and climate control require capital and reliable electricity, which may be prohibitive for many rural youth.

• Technical support and aftercare: Sustained success depends on mentoring, maintenance support, access to markets, and supply chains for inputs.

• Access to capital and risk mitigation: Startups in farming face unpredictable issues—access to finance and insurance is crucial.

• Adoption barriers: Farmers unfamiliar with new technologies could resist or improperly apply methods without proper guidance.

What to Watch

• The outcomes — how many trainees transition into viable commercial farms over 1–2 years

• Support mechanisms — whether county or national governments provide subsidies, credit, or infrastructure support

• Replication — whether the model expands to other counties or is adapted for cash crops or different ecosystems

• Partnerships — linkages with agritech firms, seed companies, market aggregators to integrate youth farms into value chains