The Eastern Africa Grain Council, in partnership with Mbegu Zetu Farmers Hub has today launched the 1st edition of the Farmers Agribusiness Fair hosted by EAGC and Mbegu Zetu Farmers Hub, scheduled to take place in March 2021 from 11th to 12th at the Mbegu Zetu Farmers Hub Rumwe Farm in Njoro, Nakuru County. The Agribusiness Fair will be featuring the theme “Tukuze Kilimo Biashara”. (Promoting Agriculture as a Business).The Agribusiness Fair is expected to attract exhibitors who will showcase an extensive range of agribusiness products and services which will allow exchange of views from various stakeholders on interventions for enhancing the capacity of agribusinesses, to eventually create and raise income through sustainable agribusiness development.
The Agribusiness Fair comes at a time when there has been a notable slow growth of agricultural output despite the existence of modern inputs, technological advancement and commercialization. While farmers face challenges ranging from the prevalent unpredictable climate change and limited access to resources, there’s an outstanding gap in the delivery of extension services between the service providers and farmers in the last mile.
The Njoro Sub County Agricultural Officer, Ms. Virginia Ngunjiri commended the partnership between EAGC and Mbegu Zetu for expressing interest to work closely with farmers as private partners, noting that the government is in need of such support . “The extension service curve has been gradually declining, posing a threat to the food production by our farmers. The Government has embraced the delivery of extension services by the private sector as a means to reach out to more farmers and enhance productivity. Today we are therefore preparing for the Agribusiness Fair which we will leverage on to promote increased food production as per our mandate.” Noted Ms. Virginia.
Speaking at the launch, EAGC Executive Director, Mr. Gerald Masila dismissed the notion of “dumping” agricultural products on farmers and letting them figure out their usage on their own without a close engagement to demonstrate and explain their usage. “There’s a tendency to assume that bringing new interventions closer to the farmer will automatically yield results. Instead, it is working closely with the farmers, offering training, high-quality inputs, agricultural credit and insurance among others, that will yield quality results. It is on working closely with them that we can identify their needs and provide meaningful assistance. This way, we can ensure the sustainability as well as scalability of interventions. “ Said Mr. Masila.
Farmers increased access to agro-dealers in the rural areas has brought the farmers an inch closer to their input needs. However, despite the enhanced access to inputs, farmers remain distanced from appropriate advice and service provision, which is critical for quality production. For effective service delivery, it is critical that the service providers establish the key farmer needs and tailor make appropriate extension services to address the identified needs by working more closely with the farmers.
“EAGC anchors its farmer-based service provision in the Grain Trade Business Hub (G -Hub) which is an integrated trade facilitation service that is owned by farmers to centrally meet all farmer needs. The G Hub profiles and registers the farmers in a digital database, farmers then consolidate all their input requirements which are delivered by EAGC in partnership with service providers guided by the G Hub Partnership agreement (GPA)” added Mr. Masila.
Speaking at the launch, Mbegu Zetu Farmers Hub Operations Manager, Ms Margaret Wambui emphasized the need to shift attention to the farmers experiences and needs. “Mbegu Zetu Farmers Hub, has been designed to address problems that small holder farmers face by way of providing agricultural services and inputs in the last mile. It is thus a one-stop shop for many of the needs of the rural farmer. Said Ms Margaret.
During the launch Ms Margaret recognized that the needs of a farmer do not end at the point of sale, but at the very last mile which is at the farm level. “Our objective as Mbegu Zetu Famers Hub is to drive the growth of the agricultural sector in this region through deliberate investments to provide extension services to the last mile. Today’s media launch is a testimony of our commitment to creating a relationship with our farmers and all other partners, including seed, fertilizers, agrochemicals, machinery and all other service providers. We thank them all for the relationship.” Ms. Margaret added.
Extension services are key in building the capacities of farmers necessary for quality agricultural production and sustainable agriculture transformation, necessitating the provision of timely agro-advisory services and quality support systems beyond agricultural products.
The partnership recognizes the significant role of each stakeholder along the value chain and has provided a platform that will bring stakeholders together to bridge the last mile gap in support of the farmers interests.
The 1st edition of the EAGC-Mbegu Zetu Farmers Agribusiness Fair is expected to increase effective adoption of latest innovations and technologies through increased quality extension services and consequently improve agricultural businesses and promote food security.
