Tourism PS Bitok Calls for Commercialisation of University Innovations to Transform Agriculture

 

By Wasike Elvis 

Principal Secretary for Tourism Prof. Julius Bitok has called for the commercialisation of innovative ideas developed by students and researchers to help transform Kenya’s agriculture and tourism sectors.

Bitok said universities have become important centres of innovation, but many promising ideas remain at the research stage without reaching farmers, businesses and other users who could benefit from them.

Speaking at the University of Eldoret during the ongoing Agro-Tourism Week, Bitok said the event provides an important platform for bringing together agriculture and tourism while showcasing new technologies, products and innovations.

He commended the University of Eldoret for sustaining the event for 19 years, saying it has created significant impact in the region by bringing together farmers, students, researchers, businesses and other stakeholders.

Bitok described the event as a convergence of agriculture and tourism, noting that it also comes at a time when the country is marking Tourism Week in line with the UN Tourism calendar.

He said the Ministry of Tourism is pleased to partner with stakeholders in promoting agro-tourism, which he noted has the potential to create business opportunities, encourage innovation and expose farmers to modern agricultural practices.

The PS, who was speaking while representing Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, urged farmers attending the trade fair to take advantage of the technologies and innovations on display.

He said the exhibition has showcased a wide range of agricultural technologies, including mechanised farming equipment, improved crop varieties, horticultural products, cereals, flowers, tree varieties and drone technology.

Bitok encouraged farmers to explore and acquire modern technologies that can improve productivity, reduce production costs and enhance efficiency in the agricultural sector.

“Let us take this opportunity to see, buy and acquire some of these latest technologies so that we take agriculture to the next level,” he said.

He also challenged researchers and students to work towards turning their innovations into commercially viable products, saying this would enable their ideas to have a greater impact beyond academic institutions.

Bitok said the University of Eldoret has demonstrated the importance of linking education, research, agriculture and tourism, adding that such partnerships can help create new businesses and employment opportunities.

The PS also used the occasion to reflect on his personal connection with the institution, revealing that he served as a student leader at the university about 25 years ago before later returning as a tourism lecturer more than 15 years ago.

He described his return to the institution as a nostalgic experience and congratulated the university council, management, staff and students for organising the event.

Bitok said the government remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote innovation, agriculture and tourism, urging stakeholders to use platforms such as the Agro-Tourism Week to share knowledge, identify opportunities and strengthen partnerships.

He said the continued collaboration between farmers, universities, government agencies and the private sector will be critical in unlocking the potential of agro-tourism and driving sustainable economic development.