The Division of Research Innovation and Outreach (RIO) conducted a 3-day Community Extension Service by training local farmers from Siaya County on insect rearing for human food and animal feeds as an alternative source of livelihood.

The training conducted at the INSEFOODS demonstration farm at the main campus saw 30 farmers imparted with the much-needed knowledge on modern insect farming methods, innovation, and technology employed to ensure farmers enjoy high yields from such ventures.

While officially opening the training, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benson Estambale in his remarks encouraged farmers to take the training seriously and make a deliberate decision of putting into practice lessons learnt from the training to improve their livelihood and that of the community at large. He also emphasized the role of the University in outreach activities as part of its’ mandate in Corporate Social Responsibility to disseminate research findings and impart the local community with knowledge and research output.

The farmers were also taken through the University Service Charter, a document that outlines the services offered at the university and their timelines; Complaints handling procedure as part of the awareness creation by the department of Corporate Communications.

The farmers were not only given certificates after training but also provided with hand wash detergents and sanitizers to help in reducing the chances of contracting the COVID-19 Virus.