- The technologies in exhibition are in line with the theme of 'Promoting Innovation and Technology in Agriculture and Trade.'
- Joseph Mugo, Nairobi brach ASK chairman, said the event has attracted exhibitors from China, Tanzania, Botswana, India, Iran and Pakistan.
Image: WILFRED NYANGARESI
The Nairobi Trade Fair Agricultural Society of Kenya show entered its second day with low turn out from members of the public.
President William Ruto is expected to officially open the show on Wednesday as he takes over as the ASK patron from his predecessor former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
About 350 international and local exhibitors are showcasing their latest products, services and innovations in agriculture, trade and allied sectors, offering opportunities for sales and learning and information exchange.
The trade fair comes after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The technologies in exhibition are in line with the theme of 'Promoting Innovation and Technology in Agriculture and Trade.'
Joseph Mugo, Nairobi brach ASK chairman, said the event has attracted exhibitors from China, Tanzania, Botswana, India, Iran and Pakistan.
“The exhibitors are drawn from multi-disciplinary sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, housing, small and medium enterprises, banking, public and private sector, hospitality, training and technology," Mugo said.
"There will also be a host of agricultural demonstration plots, farm machinery and livestock displays.”
Modern agriculture technologies are some of the big attractions at the show. One of the innovation that has pulled the crowd is the 'walking' tractor.
Vincent Odhiambo from Nyabon Enterprise Limited said the machine, which is also known as the power tiller, targets smallholder farmers.
He said the power tiller is a small machine that can plough at least three acres a day hence its suitability to small-scale farmers.
"Farms are becoming smaller and in these small farms, there is intercropping hence the need for a small machine that can manoeuvre," Odhiambo said.
He added that they are also trying to entice young people to go back to farming.
“For a long time, farming has been left to the old and retirees hence the need to introduce mechanisation which makes farming attractive to the young," he said.
"Our youth have been struggling with unemployment situation yet the agriculture sector provides great opportunities for job creation through service provision."
He said the introduction of the machine encourages young people to set up enterprises which provide mechanisation services to farmers.
"The company provides the machine on a lease-to-own agreement or a rental basis. This will make mechanisation service available to farmers," he said.
Odhiambo said the walking tractor costs Sh450,000 in cash. In the lease-to-own basis, one pays 30 per cent of the price for one year with no interest. However, if you extend beyond one year, you pay an interest of 13 per cent.
He said the machine uses diesel, has a 13-horse power engine and is operated by one person.
"You need three litres of fuel to plough one acre and in a day you can do three acres. You can finish ploughing an acre within two hours depending on the condition of the farm," Odhiambo said.
He said they have been working with several farmers, youth and church groups to promote the technology, and now they want to start working with children’s homes to help them produce the food they are consuming.
“The big challenge has been lack of finances for many smallholder farmers who cannot access credit to purchase the innovation. This is why we have introduced the lease-to-own strategy to ensure farmers have access and young people can make some money," he said.
(edited by Amol Awuor)