September expo to scale up Kenya’s agribusiness

By Phyllis MUCHOKI

The Kenya National Chambers of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) and MXM Exhibitors will next month host the AgroFoodpack Exhibition which seeks to enhance the country’s agricultural sector.

 

“Our partnership with MXM Exhibitors in hosting the event is part of our commitment as a chamber to enhance inter-country trade by helping local SMEs document and share experiences with foreign countries that will be exhibiting at the Expo and also tap into their technological prowess.” says Julius Opio, Chairman-KNCCI Nairobi Chapter.

 

Opio alluded that the agricultural sector as vital in job creation among the Kenyan youth.

 

The agricultural sector is the backbone of the economy, contributing approximately 33 percent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The agriculture sector employs more than 40 percent of the total population and 70 percent of the rural population.

 

As of 2013 for instance, over 60 percent of Kenya’s workers were employed in agricultural establishments making the sector the largest employer in Kenya, where 75 percent of Kenya’s industrial raw materials is sourced from the agriculture sector. That figure has now grown to over 70 percent.

 

“We have increasingly called for the reduction of prices of farm inputs and increased investments in agricultural technology as a step towards encouraging increased mechanization of farming in rural Kenya. For the agro-processing and related value addition business ventures, the Chamber has embarked on encouraging foreign direct investments through the Agro Food Park model,” comments Opio.

 

The three-day expo is set to begin on September 2nd -4th at Sarit Centre-Nairobi.

 

“This expo provides a platform for technology transfer, boosting inter-trade and enhancing the opening of the gateway between Kenya and other 16 countries from Europe and Asian nations.

 

It is indeed a boost to attracting foreign direct investments. Our goal is to tap into the Kenya government’s Big Four Agenda by providing trade and technological exchange opportunities between Kenya and the world,” says Mudasir Mohammed, MXM Exhibitors, Expo organizer – a Dubai-based event organizers.

 

Some of the key areas of focus covered by the AgroFoodpack Exhibition are Agro, Dairy and Poultry, Grains and Storage, Food and Flavors, Biscuits, Cakes, Packaging and processing Machines and Plastics.

 

This expo targets both entrepreneurs in the Agricultural and manufacturing sectors.

 

“Agricultural and Manufacturing are part of the Big Four Agenda Centre and we must connect local firms to new technology to drive growth within these two sectors, by doing so we shall be spurring their growth hence they can double their production capacity and create better jobs for Kenyans,” adds Mohammed.

 

There will also be a side-event boarding Power and Energy Segment at the said Exhibition.

Some of the major participants are Aytav Poultry, Vitalac, Cbl group, Altinbilek, Milltech, Meyer Corp, Sama Engineering, Fast cables, PEL and Windsor Machines.

 

The Agro Food Park model essentially brings farmers, input suppliers, processors, retailers, wholesalers, exporters and other business service providers and links agricultural production to the market.

 

“To ensure maximization of value addition and a reduction on post-harvest loses, we need to create better integrated value chains, the Agro Food Park model will also ensure greater value addition to farm produce, boosted income for farmers, lower post-harvest losses, reduced price volatility and increased exposure to more efficient and effective technology for agricultural production,” commented Opio.

 

An estimated 1500 exhibitors from over six countries will participate in the event. It will also shed light on new frontlines for world-shattering technologies, solutions and innovations.

 

The September expo is also expected to showcase transformations in the agriculture sector making it less dependent on manual processes, a change hoped to boost export volumes.

 

“It is a privilege to work in a very fast-growing economy like Kenya which witnesses a huge industrial boom in several sectors,” said Muzaffar Arslan from Altinbilek Company.

 

The organizers say it will create a pathway for technology innovators, producers, suppliers, and buyers to exploit up-and-coming opportunities in one of the world’s most attractive business spots.

 

The exhibitors are drawn from Burundi, China, France, Kenya, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and UAE.