Maseno University Strengthens Food Security Research & Training through global partnership with University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) on Tissue Culture for clean cassava production
Maseno University has continued to enhance its role in advancing food security research through an active memorandum of understanding with The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). The collaboration is anchored in a joint project titled “Strengthening the Capacity of the Partner Institutions to Address Global Food Security in East and Southern Africa: The Case of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.”
The initiative, funded by the 1890 Universities Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense (CEGFSD), focuses on addressing critical food security challenges in the region. It is guided by three key objectives: enhancing capacity through improved cassava production in Western Kenya, exploring value-added cassava products to boost household income, and investigating food safety concerns such as Salmonella typhi, aflatoxins, and harmful algal blooms within the omena value chain in the Nyanza Gulf.
The team paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Division of Partnerships, Research and Innovation's office, Prof. Regina Nyunja, who praised the strong collaboration between Maseno University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, noting that it reflects the university’s commitment to impactful research and global partnerships. She highlighted the ongoing food security project as both timely and transformative, emphasizing its role in addressing real community challenges through initiatives such as cassava tissue culture training, farmer engagement, and value chain development.
She further underscored the importance of linking research, innovation, and community outreach, stating that the partnership demonstrates how academic collaborations can deliver practical solutions. Prof. Nyunja also acknowledged the support from the 1890 Universities Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships that advance research excellence, student training, and sustainable development. Amongst was also Prof. Rose Ongati the Director for the Directorate of Linkages, Outreach and Consultancies. View the Newsletter.
As part of the first objective, Maseno University hosted a two-day cassava tissue culture training from 16th-17th March 2026. The training, which focused on tissue culture for clean cassava production, brought together postgraduate students and faculty for both theoretical and hands-on sessions. The sessions were led by Prof. Caleb Nindo who is specialized in areas of food processing, conducting research and engagement in international development activities; Prof. S. Dhekney, Prof. S. Tubene, Dr. P. Natarajan, facilitated plenary discussions. Other facilitators included Prof. Fredrick Aila the Principal Investigator of the Project-Maseno University and Prof. Mathew Dida the Co-Principal Investigator
The program also incorporated experiential learning through a field visit to a smallholder farmer in Sega, Siaya County, offering participants practical insights into cassava farming systems. To further strengthen research capacity, the UMES team offered training on: Good Agricultural practices, Post-harvest handling and reduction of losses, value addition including cassava flour, bread, crisps and cakes, improved packaging, branding for marketing, and finally organic manure preparation using molasses, maize cobs, rice straws and yeast. More Participants included Dr. Mise Senior Lecturer, School of Business and Economics- Maseno University, postgraduate students included Jacob Chesang (PhD) and Consolata Ojwang (MBA)
