KENYA – The Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC), in partnership with Kwale County, TradeMark Africa (TMA) through its USAID-Economic Recovery and Reform Activity (USAID-ERRA) program, and Danish Industry, successfully hosted the Coast Region Agribusiness Expo on August 8.
The event, held at KALRO Matuga, gathered key stakeholders from across the agriculture sector, facilitating knowledge exchange, networking, and showcasing innovative climate-smart solutions to boost sustainable food systems in the coastal region.
Mr. Gerald Masila, the Executive Director of EAGC, emphasized the coastal region’s pivotal role in Kenya’s agricultural landscape, ensuring the audience is well-informed about the region’s potential.
“The Coast Region Agribusiness Expo is a testament to the growing recognition of the region’s potential in contributing to food security and economic growth. Through our mission of promoting structured grain trade, we are committed to supporting farmers and agribusinesses in this region by enhancing market access, promoting best practices, job creation, and fostering sustainable development,” he said.
H.E. Josephat Chirema Kombo, the Deputy Governor of Kwale County, who officiated the opening ceremony, reaffirmed the county’s unwavering commitment to the agricultural sector, instilling confidence in the region’s future.
“We are investing in infrastructure, capacity building, and policy support to ensure that our farmers can compete in regional and international markets, leveraging cross-border trade opportunities through the Lungalunga One Stop Border Post,” stated the Deputy Governor.
The expo featured exhibitions from over 30 companies and agribusinesses, including local farmers, agro-dealers, financial institutions, and post-harvest technology providers such as KG Mills and Scales & Software.
More than 1,000 farmers and leadership representatives from all six counties under Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani attended, exploring cutting-edge agricultural technologies and services designed to enhance productivity and sustainability in the grain value chain.
The expo also showcased crop and livestock demonstration units, machinery displays, conservation agriculture techniques, B2B meetings, and extensive farmer training sessions on climate change adaptation, access to finance, and market linkages.
Among the innovative technologies featured were fire brooders for energy-efficient poultry farming, Azolla production for chicken feed, organic fertilizer, and water purification, and water harvesting techniques such as Zai pits and sunken beds.
Eco-friendly pest control methods, minimum tillage practices, organic production methods, agroforestry, multi-storey crop production, and drip irrigation systems were also spotlighted.
The Coast Region Agribusiness Expo 2024 marks another milestone in EAGC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the grain sector across Eastern Africa, setting the stage for future initiatives to drive agricultural development and economic growth in the region.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.
