The frequency and severity of climate shocks such as drought, floods, heat and cold stress have increased with negative impacts on agriculture and food security (https://ccafs.cgiar.org/regions/east-africa accessed 7th April 2019). Agricultural systems in East Africa are mainly rain-fed and highly vulnerable to climate change and variability.  In Africa, climate change causes yields to decline as a result of water and heat stress. Yields will decrease even further where there is no possibility of supplemental irrigation, to the extent that growing crops becomes impossible.

The challenges faced in agricultural production, that are caused by climate variability and change are complex and cannot be tackled by one or a few organizations working in isolation. Hence, in January 2017, the Nakuru Irrigation Acceleration Platform (IAP) - a multi stakeholder platform was started with financial and technical support from SNV Kenya. The Nakuru IAP is coordinated by the Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department at Egerton University under the leadership of Prof. A. Kibe.

The irrigation acceleration platform (IAP) is a private sector-led initiative that brings together actors in the agri-business sector – input providers, commodity buyers/processors, academia/researchers, state agencies, development partners and donors to concertedly work within climate smart crop and water nexus. It promotes conservation and efficient use of water for agriculture through construction of water pans, use of solar pumps, innovative spray systems and on-farm moisture conservation methods. The platform supported farmers in 11 irrigation clusters to set up six (6) Smart Water Solution demo centers and lobby for more investments in the irrigated value chain.

In August 2017, Egerton University was awarded a competitive grant on Seed Potato Community Action Research Program Plus (CARP+) by RUFORUM with financial support from MasterCard Foundation. This multi-stakeholder program is implemented in partnership with Nakuru County Government (MoALF), ADC – Molo, Baraka Agricultural College, Nakuru Smallholder Farmers Association (NASFA) and National Potato Council (NCPK). The partners developed the Nakuru Potato Strategy, established demo sites, trained farmers on seed production, contributed to the new potato regulations, establishment of the Nakuru potato cooperative union (representing over 6,000 farmers) and improved market linkages.