Stakeholder call for stronger food value chain at AgroFood Expo
Farmers, veterinarians and international agribusiness players have called for stronger collaboration across the food value chain at the 10th AgroFood-Plastpack-Paper Expo underway in Nairobi. The event highlighted market access, food safety, technology and value addition which have been tipped to help improve the food value chain. The expo is jointly hosted by MXM Exhibitors and […] The post…
Agricultural stakeholders have urged for enhanced cooperation across food value chains at the 10th AgroFood-Plastpack-Paper Expo in Nairobi. The event, organized by MXM Exhibitors and the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA), gathered representatives from agriculture, livestock, food processing, packaging, manufacturing, and related sectors from over 60 countries.
At the expo's opening, Enoch Mutai, head of Membership Service at Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAFF), emphasized the importance of farmers as critical players in the market, not just as commodity producers. Mutai suggested that farmers should analyze costs and benefits, comply with quality standards, establish direct market connections, and adopt value addition, digitization, and traceability. He stressed that integrating farming with agribusiness would determine the competitiveness of Kenya's agricultural sector.
The Kenya Veterinary Association echoed the call for a stronger food value chain by highlighting the crucial role of veterinarians in ensuring food safety and public health. Dr. Ambrose Kipyegon Ng'eno, KVA's National Vice President, stated that veterinary professionals are key in safeguarding food, particularly animal-derived products. The association is prepared to collaborate with stakeholders across agriculture and food sectors to bolster food safety systems.
International partnerships were also a focus, with Sri Lanka advocating for stronger economic and agribusiness ties between Asia and Africa. Ruvini De Silva, Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Kenya, emphasized the potential for deepened cooperation among Sri Lanka, Kenya, Asia, and the broader African region during such exhibitions.
De Silva highlighted that platforms like the AgroFood Expo facilitate the exchange of expertise, technology, and investment opportunities, aiding businesses in accessing new markets and sharing agricultural technologies and knowledge between regions. As Kenya aims to boost agricultural productivity, expand value addition, and solidify its standing in regional and international food markets, the expo offers a venue for showcasing innovations and fostering commercial partnerships among manufacturers, farmers, investors, policymakers, researchers, and technology providers.
Written by urgent.news from KBC's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
