Farmers urged to adopt latest technology to remain competitive

Smallholder farmers in Kenya stand to gain higher income by embracing the latest technology in their production processes, said Agriculture Secretary James Wanjohi during the upcoming Africa International Agricultural Expo 2026. These farmers could collaborate through cooperatives and producer associations to collectively purchase and share equipment, thereby lowering individual investment costs.

Successful technology adoption, according to Wanjohi, requires accompanying extension services, technical support, and dependable markets, with the technology itself needing to generate additional revenue for the farmers. The expo will showcase advancements in harvesting, processing, irrigation, and post-harvest handling. Attendees will also have the chance to learn about financing possibilities through various institutions, including the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC).

The expo aims to promote value addition, packaging, and branding for farmers, enabling them to surpass mere raw agricultural commodity sales and satisfy international market quality standards. Chinese firms will exhibit equipment tailored to Kenya's agricultural setting, such as compact tractors and specialized technologies that can help farmers enhance productivity and process their products prior to international market delivery.

AI technologies will also be highlighted, with potential applications in farm planning, agricultural information access, and farm operation management. These applications can provide basic answers and daily insights, eliminating the need for farmers to seek advice elsewhere. The expo will feature more than 10,000 agricultural machinery and technology displays, similar to the previous year's event.

Tito Mutai, Chief Executive of Agri-Africa Exhibition, stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between international technology suppliers and Kenyan manufacturers to encourage local assembly and technology transfer, with the ultimate aim of producing domestically-made equipment. The gathering will gather farmers, technology companies, equipment manufacturers, financial institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.