WRITTEN BY: Matthew Burkhart (mkburkha@ncsu.edu)
Ken Monjero, affectionately known as “Dr. Fun,” is on a mission to inspire the next generation of agricultural innovators in Kenya. A scientist, educator and advocate for youth engagement in STEM, Monjero visited NC State last week to strengthen ties between the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).
Monjero, a research assistant at KALRO and founder of the Fun & Education Global Network, has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between research and practical application. With a background in applied biology and crop protection, he has worked extensively on food security crops like cassava, maize and potatoes while also tackling climate change through innovations like biochar for soil health. But his true passion lies in science communication and empowering youth to see agriculture as a viable and exciting career path.
Monjero’s visit coincides with NC State’s North Carolina Youth Institute (NCYI), a program designed to engage high school students in solving global food challenges. Modeled after the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Youth Institute, NCYI provides a platform for students to present innovative solutions to issues such as malnutrition, soil erosion and food insecurity across the globe. He served as a keynote speaker for this year’s cohort.
In Kenya, Monjero leads a similar initiative, the Kenya Youth Institute, which he founded in partnership with the World Food Prize Foundation. Both programs aim to inspire young people to think critically about agricultural issues while fostering global connections.
Monjero said his institute starts engaging with high school students before they decide on their career paths, hoping to show them how science and agriculture can drive meaningful change.
“It is the best time to show them how education is in regards to basic principles of science and applied so we engage them in such a way they can come be part of innovations that are to be undertaken in agriculture,” Monjero said.
Monjero said he sees immense potential in linking these youth institutes.
“The globe is now a village,” Monjero said. “What we do in Kenya can complement what’s happening here in North Carolina. Sharing ideas across borders will help us address local issues before they become global problems.”
One of Monjero’s key objectives is changing perceptions of agriculture among young people. In Kenya, where the average age of farmers is older, he said he believes it’s critical to engage youth in modern, technology-driven farming practices.
Monjero said the perception of agricultural jobs can be changed by introducing agribusiness entrepreneurship and digital tools, making them attractive and profitable for young people.
“How can we utilize these immense skills, immense energy, into agriculture, and how can we repackage the way agriculture has always been seen, like it’s not a career pathway — it’s a dirty job and all that. How can we repackage it?”
Monjero said a critical part of this repackaging is to show young people that their contributions and participation in the field of agriculture do matter.
“To really bring youth and children at the forefront of whatever issues, we need to appreciate them,” Monjero said. “We need to applaud what they are doing. We need to recognize their impact in global movements in addressing issues across the globe.”
Through KALRO’s digital platforms, Monjero is working to provide young farmers with real-time data on weather patterns, crop varieties and sustainable farming practices. His approach emphasizes co-creation, working with farmers rather than for them, ensuring that research translates into actionable solutions.
During his visit, Monjero toured NC State’s research facilities, including greenhouses and labs. He also met with faculty involved in CALS’ Connecting Research, Education and Outreach (CREdO) initiative — a CALS International Programs initiative with similar goals as Monjero’s efforts to integrate research with community impact.
Monjero said he hopes his visit will pave the way for deeper partnerships between KALRO and NC State. He envisions student exchange programs where participants from both countries can share knowledge and experiences.