Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has urged scientists and innovators to focus agricultural research on Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), which comprise nearly 80 percent of the country's land mass. This call was made during the launch of the National Research Festival 2025 at Egerton University, emphasizing ASALs' untapped potential for food security despite global warming.

• ASALs cover approximately 80 percent of Kenya's land and are deemed crucial for future food sovereignty.
• The directive came from Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, with remarks delivered by Research Secretary Phyllis Njane, during the launch of the National Research Festival 2025.
• The government aims to anchor agriculture in science and innovation, promoting nutrition-sensitive farming and enhancing post-harvest systems to unlock dryland potential and address food security.