Smallholder farmers across the nation can boost their incomes by embracing the latest technologies in their production processes.
At the upcoming Africa International Agricultural Expo 2026, Agriculture Secretary James Wanjohi emphasized that small-scale farmers can collaborate through cooperatives and producer associations to collectively acquire equipment. This approach will help lower individual investment costs.
Wanjohi highlighted that successfully adopting technology requires complementary extension services, technical support, and reliable markets. “The technology being promoted must also generate income. It should provide farmers with additional earnings,” he stated.
The expo will showcase advancements in critical areas such as harvesting, processing, irrigation, and post-harvest handling.
Farmers will also discover financing options through participating institutions, including the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC).
Wanjohi noted that the expo aligns with the government’s initiative to promote value addition, packaging, and branding, enabling farmers to go beyond selling raw agricultural commodities and meet international market quality standards. “The government is strongly advocating against merely selling raw materials,” he said.
Flacko Wang, Director of Market Development at Hunan Hongxing International Exhibition Limited, mentioned that Chinese companies will present equipment tailored for Kenya’s agricultural landscape, including small tractors and specialized technologies. This equipment can enhance productivity and facilitate processing before farmers export their products.
The expo will also feature companies utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), which offers exciting applications in farm planning, access to agricultural information, and farm operations management. “AI can address basic daily queries, allowing farmers to access information without needing to ask around,” Wang explained.
Last year’s expo showcased over 10,000 agricultural machinery and technology innovations.
Tito Mutai, Chief Executive of Agri-Africa Exhibition, called for stronger collaboration between international technology suppliers and Kenyan manufacturers to foster local assembly and technology transfer. “We have local fabricators and assembly capabilities here in Kenya. Our goal should be to manufacture our own equipment in the future,” he added.
The exhibition will unite farmers, technology companies, equipment manufacturers, financial institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.
