The University hosted the 17th Agribusiness Trade Fair 2024 on September 12th, 13th and 14th 2024. This year the theme was “Promoting Climate Smart Agri-preneurship and Value Addition to Spur Industrialization for Sustainable Development.”
The Agri-business Trade Fair has grown to become the well attended agribusiness event/Trade fair in the NOREB and LREB regions. This year we hosted 18,731 farmers and members of the public up from the 14,000 farmers who visited the trade fair in 2023. The trade fair attendees were drawn from the counties from Uasin Gishu, Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kakamega, Meru, Narok, Nandi, Trans Nzoia and West Pokot. During the event, the University academia and agribusiness industry partners provided training and practical exhibitions with the objective of enhancing food and nutritional security. The farmers and the trade fair attendees learnt about new technologies and agribusiness innovations and interacted directly with the agricultural sector players/partners.

Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Agriculture officiated the Opening Ceremony as the Chief Guest. In his remarks he highlighted the theme for the trade fair saying it resonated well with the government’s commitment under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the Climate Smart Agriculture and Soil Conservation for the survival of human beings. He said the university possessed a body of knowledge that will be fundamental in shaping the future of agriculture. He mentioned that the ministry had come up with a mechanization program in order to have proper technology thus increasing productivity. He encouraged the various stakeholders to engage youth in agriculture through value addition and embrace new technologies. Farmers were assured of the fertilizer prices being reviewed to shield them from high prices and certified seeds would be provided during the planting season.

The Governor of Bungoma County, Hon. Kenneth Lusaka was in attendance. In his remarks, he thanked UoE for hosting the trade fair which benefited the farmers in terms of learning about new technologies, modern farming practices and viewing the new machinery that were on display. He noted that the University had addressed some of the key challenges facing agriculture including soil fertility, seed breeding for wheat, barley and horticultural crops, forestry and maize diseases which are a challenge to the farmers in the North and South Rift.

The Governor of Uasin Gishu County, Hon. Dr Jonathan Bii Chelilim said the theme of the trade fair underscored the critical role of innovative climate resilient approaches to advancing the agriculture sector. He asked the University to take a central role in

mitigating climate change as a centre for research and learning.  In partnership with the University, the county had acquired 22,000  fingerlings to foster fish farming in the county. He asked the University to diversify to high-value crops like coffee, macadamia and avocado and disseminate the same to the local and regional farmers to boost agriculture production instead of relying solely on the traditional agricultural crops.

The Chair of Council, Dr. Ismail Hassan in his remarks affirmed that the agribusiness trade fair was not just a fair where innovative studies were showcased but a space where the collective spark was ignited which will fuel climate-smart agripreneurship and value addition. The trade fair had become a leading centre  not only of learning but a cradle of innovation and an incubator of change. With climate change posing a threat not only to agriculture but to the planet, he emphasized the need for agripreneurship. As the University moulds agricultural entrepreneurs, he said, there is need to enhance technology, leverage on data-driven insights and have collaboration factors to safeguard the future of production.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Thomas Cheruiyot said that the University is committed to  promoting climate smart agricultural practices which would stem the impact of drought and environmental degradation, value addition and industrialization for sustainable development. He appreciated all the partners who had invested in the University to host the trade fair making it one of the most trusted agri-engaging events within the region. He called upon all the stakeholders to be united and collaborate in their actions and for the farmers, they should take advantage of the training's, innovations and solutions offered by the partners.

Mr. Emmanuel Kabaki, the General Manager from Brookside Dairy Limited, the title sponsors of the UoE Agribusiness Trade Fair, expressed his appreciation and congratulated the University management for hosting a successful trade fair. He said Brookside had sponsored 600 dairy farmers to attend the event to learn and gain insights on increasing their dairy products production. He encouraged the farmers to preserve more feed to enable them cope with the weather changes. He said that brookside Dairy provides a reliable market for farmer’s dairy products.
Ms. Sylvia Mwai, National Bank’s Sector Head for Institutional Banking, said that the bank was honored to be part of the trade fair and had participated and supported it for over a decade, witnessing the growth through the years. She affirmed that the theme of the trade fair was in line with the core values of the bank as they are committed to the future of the nation as agriculture is the backbone of the economy .

Ms. Gladys Maina, Equity Bank’s Head of Food and Agriculture in the Rift Valley region applauded the University of hosting a successful trade fair. She mentioned that Food and Agriculture was a major pillar for the bank and 30% of the bank’s portfolio was agriculture based and to sustain this the bank would be working with Universities to achieve this.
The 3-day event title sponsor was Brookside Dairy Limited. Other sponsors included National Bank of Kenya (NBK), Equity Bank, KASS Media, Government Advertising Agency (GAA), YARA, Customized Aviation Services, SunCulture, Corteva Agriscience, CKL Africa Limited, Kenya Seed Company Limited, Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), UNGA Farmcare, KCB Foundation, Cereal Growers Association, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service KEPHIS), Hydrotech Limited, Access Kenya and Uasin Gishu County. Over 30 exhibitors were present.