JKUAT student wins Bayer East Africa's Safe Use Ambassador Award

JKUAT University acting Vice Chancellor Prof Robert Kinyua, Amos Kinyua, the 2024 winner of the Bayer Safe Use Ambassador program and Bayer East Africa’S Managing Director Joern Kraegeloh during the award ceremony at the institution. [Courtesy]

Amos Muigai, from the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), has been awarded the Bayer East Africa ‘Safe Use Ambassador’ Award 2024.

This prestigious honour recognizes his dedication to promoting safe agricultural practices and responsible pesticide use within farming communities.

He was feted for his commitment to safeguarding the health of farming communities and advocating for sustainable agricultural practices distinguished him from his peers.

This embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that the program seeks to foster, paving the way for a safer, more sustainable agricultural sector.

Launched in 2023, the Bayer Safe Use Ambassador initiative is designed to educate agricultural students and professionals on the proper handling of crop protection products and the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE).

In recognition of his efforts, Amos will embark on a fully sponsored educational trip to Bayer Crop Science’s headquarters in Monheim, Germany, from November 18th to 24th.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity includes interactions with leading scientists and experts in the field, as well as tours of Bayer's operations in Leverkusen and a ‘Bayer Forward Farm’ in Rommerskirchen.

During the inaugural training event which began a year ago, over 50 students participated, gaining valuable insights into sustainable farming practices.

Participants were then encouraged to share their newfound knowledge with local farmers during school breaks, fostering a ripple effect of awareness and responsibility.

During the award ceremony held at JKUAT, Joern Kraegeloh, Managing Director of Bayer East Africa, expressed his pride in the winners’ contributions.

“We are thrilled to honor Muigai with the Safe Use Ambassador Award. His dedication to promoting safe agricultural practices aligns perfectly with Bayer’s commitment to sustainability and the well-being of farmers. His work is a testament to the positive impact that education and awareness can have on farming communities,” said Kraegeloh.

Muigai on his part shared his excitement and gratitude for the recognition.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. Being the winner of the Bayer SUA 2024 will be one of the most memorable experiences of my student days. I am looking forward to gaining practical experience and knowledge from this program, which will help sharpen my soft skills and expand my networks in the agricultural sector. This is very beneficial for my future career goals,” he said.

He also reflected on the broader implications of his role as a Safe Use Ambassador.

“This experience has made me more aware of the urgent need to progress towards sustainable agriculture and my responsibility in promoting product stewardship among farming communities to minimize risks to human health and protect the environment,” he noted.

Since its inception in 2017, the Bayer Safe Use Ambassador initiative has trained over 11,200 students across more than 50 universities in 15 countries, creating a global network of future agricultural leaders dedicated to safety and sustainability.