NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 19 – The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) is pushing for greater use of engineering solutions to transform agriculture and unlock productivity in the sector.
IEK President Shammah Kiteme said sector-specific approaches are needed to address unique challenges in agriculture, including climate variability, water scarcity and post-harvest losses.
“Too often, engineering conversations remain generalized, yet each sector… faces unique technical, regulatory, and operational challenges,” he said.
The conference highlighted the role of smart irrigation, mechanisation and precision agriculture technologies such as drones and sensors in boosting efficiency and yields.
Other solutions include renewable energy systems like solar-powered pumps, as well as cold-chain storage and agro-processing to reduce post-harvest losses.
IEK also emphasized climate-smart practices, including resilient greenhouses, soil restoration and ecosystem protection.
The engineers called for stronger collaboration, research and adoption of data-driven tools to improve farm management and supply chains.
The initiative is part of IEK’s broader push to align engineering expertise with national development priorities.
