Minister of higher education, technology and innovation Itah Kandjii-Murangi-Murangi on Wednesday announced the implementation of the bio-economy strategy, which was approved by Cabinet in November 2019.

The strategy will run from 2024 to 2029. The acceleration of biotechnology to national development can contribute to poverty alleviation, and catalyse sustainable economic development, Kandjii-Murangi said.

She was speaking during the inauguration of a space council launched by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), where she informed that from 2019, her ministry, in cooperation with the NCRST and with the financial and technical assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the Bio-economy Multi-sectoral working group, coordinated the development of the National Bio-economy Strategy.

The production, utilisation, conservation and regeneration of biological resources, including related knowledge, science, technology and innovation, form part of the strategy.

“The bio-economy strategy is anchored in key stakeholder-identified sectors of the country that immensely contribute to economic growth, namely health, agriculture and natural resources/environment. In line with the revised Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy 2020, the bio-economy strategy implementation will ensure the promotion of research and development in bio-technology and bio-based industries,” Kandjii-Murangi-Murangi added.

The strategic initiatives set out in the strategy are aimed at promoting opportunities for smallholder farmers, rural communities and marginalised groups to participate in and benefit from bio-economic activities in improving climate-affected agricultural production. -Nampa