The annual Nairobi International Trade Fair that took place from 2nd-8th October 2017 at Jamhuri Park attracted eight enterprises from the Kenya Climate Innovation Center hosted at the Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC) stand.
Agricultural Society of Kenya event that ran for 5 days hosted enterprises from various sectors with diverse innovations. They included new irrigation systems, hydroponics technologies, solar energy and prefabricated house building technology, and various household and beauty products, among others.
Kenya Climate Innovation Centre clients were able to showcase their innovative enterprises at the show. These included Azuri Health- solar dried fruits, Eco-Agribusiness who prepare jam and pulp from fruits, Future Pump- solar water pumps, Lentera Limited- Crop Nutrition and Soil Health, Mega gas Enterprise- highly flammable gas, Riecotel Group- Energy Transmission and Distribution, Swissquest Water Supplies Limited- smart/prepaid water meters and Wisdom Innovations with clean cook stoves.
Kinya Kimathi of Future Pump said, ‘We managed to demonstrate our product to over 500 people and are currently following up on potential sales, about 10 of these were interested in being our distributors.
President Uhuru Kenyatta during his opening remarks noted that, “this event not only provides exhibitors in the agricultural sector an opportunity to showcase their achievements, but also provides an opportunity to all stakeholders to exchange information and strengthen business connections geared towards enhancing agricultural productivity and boosting trade in this great county of Nairobi and the whole nation.”
He emphasized that innovation and technology is important in combating climate change adding that the only way to ensure that we had food in the country was to adopt and invest in conservation farming.
Steve Kanili of Mega gas Enterprises summarized his experience, saying, “Indeed the trade fair presented a great networking opportunity for us. We were able to build brand awareness mainly by informing the visitors of our technology’s existence. New contacts were picked with potential for developing into business deals. We were further able to learn new ideas from other exhibitors especially with regards to their business models.”
In cushioning farmers and pastoralists from negative impacts of climate change, he said that the government had initiated crop and livestock insurance programmes. Farmers from pilot counties that have benefited from the scheme are Bungoma, Embu, Nakuru, Migori, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Kirinyaga, Meru, Kwale and Kilifi. A total of 31 counties are set to be covered with 5 million farmers on board by year 2022.
The Livestock insurance is aimed at protecting pastoralists from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands against adverse effects of food shortage as a result of severe drought. It currently covers 8 counties: Wajir, Mandera, Turkana, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu and Tana River. Over 1000 pastoralists have benefitted from the scheme, at a cost of Ksh 300 million.
By Michelle Mung’ata
