Nairobi: Three students from the Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies (RVIBS) have developed an innovative technology that allows farmers to remotely manage farm conditions, making agriculture more efficient and manageable. The system, which utilizes a combination of sensors and modules, ensures optimal watering, temperature, lighting, humidity, air quality, and soil moisture levels for the best plant growth. According to Kenya News Agency, the innovation was showcased at the recent RVIBS Tech Expo by its creators, Ms. Mercy Wanjiru, Mr. Charles Munyora, and Ms. Gladys Daisi. This technological advancement highlights the potential of young Kenyan innovators. The system meticulously monitors farm conditions and automatically adjusts them to suit specific crop needs. Mr. Munyora explained that their prototype can automate irrigation systems and track soil moisture, avoiding over- or under-watering by using rain sensors to conserve water. The expo also featured another innovation by Ms. Susan Muthami and Mr. Martin Kyalo, who presented a home security system using Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology. This system provides protection against theft, gas leaks, fires, and intrusions. It notifies homeowners of any security threat via mobile messages and includes features like motion detectors and smoke sensors. The students, beneficiaries of the World Bank-funded SKIES (Strengthening Kenya's Innovation Ecosystem) scholarship program, are part of an initiative to bolster Kenya's innovation infrastructure. SKIES, implemented by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, supports intermediaries, including universities and startups, to enhance operational sustainability and service quality. Ms. Wanjiru emphasized the user-friendly app that allows farmers to control greenhouse conditions from a smartphone, making farming less labor-intensive and more attractive to the youth. The technology also provides smart recommendations based on data analysis to optimize farm conditions for better produ ce quality. Mr. Kyalo's security system innovation, tested in a residential estate, includes additional features like automatic temperature regulation and security lighting. The project, supported by RVIB Director Mr. Kimemia Gitau, highlights the importance of science, technology, and innovation in economic development. He advocates for increased investment in these areas to break the poverty cycle. Ms. Linet Marita, SKIES program coordinator, highlighted the performance-based grants provided to intermediaries and innovation hubs, enhancing skills in innovation at technical and vocational institutes across Kenya.