Kenya is hosting the 6th Africa Agri Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The two-day event which began on Wednesday, February 8 is driven by the theme, Connecting Africa to Global Agribusiness Industry. As such the expo aims to strengthen agricultural business by identifying, connecting, and establishing the right channel partners in Africa.
Moreover, during the launch of the expo on Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi in his speech which was read by the State Department for Crop Development Principal Secretary Phillip Kello Harsama stated that Kenya is reengineering its approach on how agriculture will be conducted in the Country with an aim of maximizing its potential.
CS Linturi further noted that the theme for the Agri Expo is aligned to the Kenya’s Vision 2030 as well as the government’s manifesto on agriculture.
“Our strategic objective as a government is to create an enabling environment that will create an enabling environment for agricultural growth,” he stated.
Likewise, the CS called on all relevant stakeholders and agencies to give the government support to enable it to realize this initiative.
He further urged the exhibitors to set up businesses in the Country and venture into untapped sectors.
Furthermore, CS Linturi in his speech said that the Agricultural sector plays a vital role in the economy with the sector contributing 50 per cent of the Country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Also Read: Kenya Eyes Sh3.1Bn Deals During 6th Edition of Africa Agri Expo
Nonetheless, PS Kello while giving his remarks stated that the government of Kenya plans to put three million hectares of land under irrigation in the next 10 years to support food production in the Country and Africa at large.
PS Kello also urged the exhibitors to invest and open branches of their companies in various parts of the country to reach farmers in the remote areas.
“Next time when you have these expo’s, hold them in agricultural counties so as to reach the farmers directly.” Kello noted.
Similarly, the event organizer TAB Group Chief Executive Officer Tahir Bari said that over one hundred investors and potential businesses are keen on setting up base in Kenya.
“Interest from investors in the Agricultural Value chains is growing with many seeking opportunities, and others coming to sign deals after successful discussions with Kenyan companies,” Bari said.
He added that investors from various parts of the world including the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and USA have come to the Agri Expo with a keen interest in tackling key issues in the supply food chain by introducing modern technologies to help the agricultural sector grow and become more attractive to the young people.
Nevertheless, the Agri Expo is intended to highlight the advancements in technologies for agriculture value chain, food security, crop protection, nutrition, water management and ways to mitigate post-harvest losses in Africa through the sustainable use of machines and technology as well as boosting productivity and profitability of farmers.
