NAIROBI — Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, opened the 2025 Nairobi International Trade Fair on Wednesday with a call to farmers, innovators, and investors to view agriculture as the engine of the country’s economic future.
Speaking at the Jamhuri Showground alongside President William Ruto and senior officials, Mr Kagwe described the event as “a living demonstration of our shared commitment” to building a food-secure and competitive economy.
“This year’s trade fair comes at a critical moment in our country’s journey,” he said. “It offers an opportunity to deepen commercial ties, stimulate investment, and foster meaningful partnerships.”
The fair, organised by the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK), drew local and international exhibitors from across the agricultural value chain. Farmers, researchers, and entrepreneurs showcased livestock breeds, new crop technologies, and agribusiness models designed to improve productivity.
Mr Kagwe highlighted progress in key sectors including maize, sugarcane, tea, rice, coffee, dairy, and meat. He said government support through subsidised inputs, guaranteed earnings, and market access had already lifted incomes for many producers.
“Agriculture is at the very heart of this transformation,” he said. “Farmers are getting higher earnings for their produce, on time. That is a result of the reforms we are driving.”
The Cabinet Secretary also underlined the role of technology in shaping Kenya’s agricultural future. He pointed to data-driven policymaking, research advances from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and the use of digital platforms like the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS) as tools to boost efficiency.
Artificial intelligence, he added, is being applied to strengthen planning, reduce waste, and modernise extension services. “We are embracing new ways of doing things,” he said, urging young people to seize opportunities in agribusiness.
The fair featured delegations from county governments, regional partners, and international investors. Many saw it as a sign of growing interest in Kenya’s agricultural sector, which employs millions and remains central to food security and trade.
Mr Kagwe closed his remarks by stressing that agriculture must not only feed the nation but also generate decent jobs and growth. “This sector must deliver on the promise of a new dawn — for Kenya and by Kenya,” he said.
President Ruto later officially opened the exhibition, which will run through the week, showcasing the country’s ambition to blend tradition with modern farming practices.
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