By CATHERINE RIUNGU | @CatherineRiungu | catherine@hortinews.co.ke
Nairobi, August 18, 2025 — Kenya’s agricultural future has received a major boost with the official inauguration of the Kantaria Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (KATIC) at the University of Nairobi’s College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Upper Kabete Campus.
Presided over by First Lady Rachel Ruto on August 14, the landmark event brought together more than 1,000 guests, including top government officials, industry leaders, students, and diplomats. The opening was broadcast live on KBC and NTV, affirming KATIC’s national importance and heralding a new era for agritech in Kenya.
“This centre will empower youth, encourage innovation, and position agriculture as an exciting and viable career option for future generations,” said Mama Rachel Ruto, lauding the public-private partnership behind the initiative.
A legacy rooted in agriculture
The Ksh 80 million state-of-the-art facility was constructed by Elgon Kenya in memory of its founder, the late Rajinkant Kantaria, who passed away in 2003. His son, Dr. Bimal Kantaria, Managing Director of Elgon Kenya, led the handover, reflecting on the family’s long-standing commitment to Kenya:
“This is our gift to a country we have called home since our forefathers arrived in 1898. It is in honour of my father, a great philanthropist who believed in empowering others.”
The Kantaria family—including Bimal, Baiju, Leena, and their fifth-generation descendants—stood united in what was described as their biggest contribution to Kenya yet. Also present was Rasin Kantaria of Prime Bank, underscoring the family’s collective vision for agricultural transformation.
Why KATIC Matters
More than just a physical space, KATIC represents a national vision. Built on 23 acres, it is poised to become a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) dedicated to agribusiness innovation. The centre is designed to:
- Bridge academia and industry,
- Equip agriculture students with job-ready, practical skills,
- Foster research-to-commercialization pipelines, and
- Host demonstrations of cutting-edge agricultural technologies.
Agritech companies such as Astral Aviation are already partnering with KATIC, offering training in drone technology for crop surveillance and AI-powered pest and disease detection, aligning with Kenya’s broader push into digital agriculture.
Empowering the next generation: 4K-Clubs and education support
Elgon Kenya’s support for youth in agriculture is deeply rooted. For nearly four decades, the company has supported Nyanjega Primary and Junior School in Limuru—providing daily porridge, infrastructure upgrades, and a salaried cook.
In 2024, Elgon launched a model 4K Club farm at Nyanjega, featuring vertical gardens, fruit orchards, and an irrigation system. Today, the initiative feeds all students and staff, making agriculture both educational and nutritional.
Inspired by this success, Elgon Kenya partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture to integrate 4K Clubs into the National Farmers Awards, introducing a special 4K Club category to recognize youth-led agricultural excellence. Winners receive cash prizes, trophies, and exposure trips, nurturing a new generation of agripreneurs.
“The future of Kenya is agriculture, and the future of agriculture is the youth,” said Dr. Bimal Kantaria during the unveiling of the 4K Clubs Revitalization Programme.
National and global collaboration
Dignitaries at the KATIC launch included Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Principal Secretaries Dr. Paul Rono and Dr. Esther Muoria, UoN Council Chair Prof. Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha, university leadership, and members of the Kenya Agriculture Students Association.
“KATIC is a milestone in the history of agriculture—bringing together academia, industry, and research to incubate innovations for commercialization and provide practical training for agriculture graduates,” remarked Prof. Chacha.
The event also attracted envoys from India, China, Israel, Switzerland, and France, all expressing interest in supporting the centre’s development.
KATIC in context: ASNET and global inspiration
KATIC’s launch aligns with Kenya’s renewed focus on public-private partnerships and strategic policy frameworks, spearheaded by the Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET), where Dr. Bimal Kantaria serves as chairman.
At the 4th National Agriculture Summit in 2024, KATIC Co-Chair Dr. Kevit Desai emphasized the role of centres like KATIC in closing the gap between research and real-world application.
Also gaining momentum is the University Deans of Agriculture Forum, launched through support from ASNET and the UPLIFT-Ag initiative. This platform promotes inter-university collaboration, curriculum alignment, and policy engagement, with KATIC serving as the benchmark.
Dr. Bimal noted that KATIC’s success could pave the way for similar centres in other public universities, creating a nationwide ecosystem of agritech excellence.
A Vision for the Future
KATIC joins a prestigious global network of agricultural innovation centres such as the Netherlands’ Golden Triangle and Israel’s MASHAV—institutions that successfully integrate research, demonstration, and commercialization to drive national competitiveness.
“KATIC is not just about agriculture,” said Dr. Bimal Kantaria. “It’s about Kenya’s economic development, food security, and job creation through a vibrant agriculture sector.”
A National Turning Point
From schoolchildren at Nyanjega to university researchers, agribusiness investors, and global development partners, the opening of KATIC represents a convergence of legacy, vision, and action.
It is a symbol of hope, a platform for innovation, and a launchpad for Kenya’s agricultural renaissance.
As the centre opens its doors, it also opens endless possibilities—for youth, for farmers, and for the nation.
From Trust Deed to Opening: Building the Future
The journey to this milestone began on February 21, 2025, with the signing of a Trust Deed between the University of Nairobi and Elgon Kenya, witnessed by Indian High Commissioner H.E. Namgya Khampa. The agreement formalized the Ksh 80 million investment for construction and an additional Ksh 20 million for outfitting the centre. Earlier, on July 25, 2023, a ground-breaking ceremony had been held, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Elgon Kenya MD Dr. Bimal Kantaria. They emphasized KATIC’s role in advancing key sectors like soil fertility, crop protection, animal health, and post-harvest loss prevention—anchoring the centre as a bridge between academia, industry, and farming communities. Then, like the KATIC opening, the groundbreaking ceremony was witnessed by the larger Kantaria Family, diplomats and many agriculture sector stakeholders.