As Kenya pushes for inclusive and sustainable growth, gaps in the education system continue to shape the country’s ability to respond to climate change, food insecurity and shifting labour markets. Increasingly, education is no longer viewed solely as an individual pathway to employment but as shared national infrastructure critical to resilience, productivity and longterm development.

This reality is particularly evident in agriculture, which supports the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans. In sectors such as dairy, knowledge directly influences food safety, nutrition outcomes and household income stability. Industry players embedded in agricultural value chains say education beyond formal classrooms is now essential for farmers and communities navigating environmental and economic uncertainty.

“Education today is not just about certificates,” says Mr. Victor Thumbi, Brand Manager at Kinangop Dairy Limited. “It is about practical knowledge that helps farmers manage risk, protect food safety and adapt to climate pressure.”

Learning as a Tool for Safer, Smarter Agriculture
Across Kenya’s farming communities, the link between knowledge and outcomes is increasingly clear. Farmers who understand food safety standards reduce health risks while building consumer confidence. As climate pressures intensify through erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts and rising temperatures this knowledge has become even more urgent.

Climate shocks affect not only agricultural output but also access to education itself. When harvests fail, household incomes decline, food insecurity rises and school attendance suffers. This creates a cycle where lack of knowledge deepens vulnerability.

At the same time, technology is reshaping what is possible for smallholder farmers. Mobile-based platforms now deliver weather forecasts, extension services and market information. Sensors and digital tools help monitor soil moisture, animal health and farm conditions, shifting agriculture from reactive practices to informed decision-making.

“Knowledge is what allows farmers to use these tools effectively,” Mr. Victor Thumbi notes. “A farmer who understands climate trends can plan better. One who understands food handling protects consumers. Learning turns farming from survival into strategy.”

Climate Literacy and Institutional Partnerships
Kenya’s education reforms increasingly recognise climate literacy as a core competency for the future workforce. Integrating climate education into schools and training institutions equips learners with the skills needed to innovate solutions for droughts, floods and environmental degradation.
This approach is also being reinforced through partnerships between the private sector and learning institutions. During a recent tree-planting exercise with the Nyandarua School for the Deaf, Kinangop Dairy highlighted the importance of linking environmental stewardship with education.
“Supporting schools is an investment in the people who will solve tomorrow’s problems,” Mr. Thumbi said during the initiative. “You cannot talk about sustainability without talking about education.”
The exercise reflected a broader shift in corporate engagement where environmental action, community development and learning are increasingly pursued together.

Technology, Nutrition and Lifelong Learning
As Kenya’s education landscape evolves, digital platforms are expanding access to learning beyond traditional classrooms. Agricultural colleges are embedding technology into their curricula, while digital extension services are supporting farmers long after formal training ends. Lifelong learning, stakeholders say, is becoming essential in a changing climate.

Nutrition is a critical part of this equation. Research consistently shows that well-nourished children perform better in school. During the recent back-to-school period, Kinangop Dairy ran an online campaign highlighting the role of dairy products including milk, yoghurt and ghee in supporting healthy development and improved learning outcomes.

“Nutrition and education are inseparable,” Mr. Thumbi explains. “You cannot expect strong learning outcomes if children are not properly nourished.”

Sustainable dairy farming generates income for families, strengthens food systems and supports education through improved household stability. Education, in turn, builds resilient communities capable of adapting to climate and economic shocks.

As Kenya confronts an era of environmental uncertainty, one message is becoming clear: education is not only a right it is a collective responsibility and one of the country’s strongest investments in resilience, innovation and long-term prosperity.