By Aoma Keziah,
Hundreds of students and teachers gathered for the opening of a two day Food Security Youth Conference in Nairobi, an event aimed at nurturing young minds to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing agriculture and food systems in Kenya and beyond.
The conference, hosted by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) in partnership with the World Food Prize Foundation – Kenya Youth Institute (WFPF-KYI), brings together top high school innovators from across the country. They are joined by educators and researchers, all focused on the goal of finding sustainable solutions to food insecurity, climate change, and malnutrition.
Jon Wogman, Director Global Youth Programs and Partnerships World Food Prize Foundation, highlighted that young people are critical to being able to solve some of the larger challenges before us.
“ The World Food Prize Foundation has been working with young people for over 30 years, so our work is really providing that first or second step for young people to really understand the pathways before them where they can have an impact on agriculture and food security. We’re hoping that the students really leave here feeling a sense of confidence and their confidence in their skill building around research, agriculture, and food security issues,” he stated.
Other organizations involved include Concern Worldwide, KCB Bank, the International Potato Centre, and the International Livestock Research Institute. Their combined support underscores the urgency and opportunity of involving young people in shaping the future of food.
“Our goal is to nurture young minds, promote agricultural education, and bridge the gap between research and youth-led innovation. We have seen this programs growth engaging over 95 schools this year, training over 120 teachers, and receiving over 129 student projects, of which 69 were selected for this conference,” said Dr. Kamunya, representing Dr. Eliud Kireger, Director General KALRO.
This year’s theme revolves around student-led innovation. Sixty-nine school based projects are being presented, the result of months of research and development. Many of these ideas were sparked during teacher workshops held earlier in the year, designed to strengthen scientific inquiry and mentorship in schools.
Projects are being evaluated not just for creativity, but for their scientific grounding and real-world potential. Judges are looking for work that can make a difference in communities—whether through improved farming techniques, climate-smart practices, or better nutrition awareness.
“This is more than a competition. It’s a celebration of what young people can do when they are given tools, support, and a chance to lead,” Jan Low 2016 World Food Prize laureate.
The conference is also a stepping stone. One standout team will be selected to represent Kenya later this year at the Global Youth Institute in Iowa, USA, a gathering that puts youth voices at the heart of global food policy conversations.
Workshops during the event are helping students sharpen their presentation skills and deepen their understanding of agricultural science. Many of the students here are participating in a national science fair for the first time, but already their enthusiasm is leaving a mark.
“ This programme is very helpful because it has helped me increase in my research paper making abilities, increase in my data collection abilities and it has also given me more opportunities to go to different places like for example how it’s going to help me to go to Iowa in the USA if i win” remarked Djouonang Daryl, school of the nations Student.
As the conference continues for the next two days, it’s clear that the next generation of food security champions is already stepping forward, not someday in the future, but right now.
