By Rodgers Wagura
Worth Noting:
- Meshack Aura the HillFarm marketing manager in the coffee section, said that they are showcasing their coffee farming methods and the value added coffee to farmers present as a challenge to them since the region has been affected by poor crop production and many farmers have resulted to uprooting the crop and venturing to other areas.
- He said that they are teaching farmers on the varieties of coffee plants and what is done to ensure quality produce that fetches good price.
- He added that education is key to even farming and this is what many farmers lack and they continue using traditional methods thus lowering their productivity.
An agricultural symposium was yesterday held in Nyeri where exhibitors showcased their potential to uplift farmers by using various methodologies.
The Nyeri Dairy Agritech and Farm Machinery 2022 saw thousands of farmers from the mountain region converge at Mweiga stadium where they learnt various technics of improving their dairy.
Students from various secondary schools also attended the one day event.
The Expo brought together more than 50 exhibitors from across the country to showcase their technologies.
One of the Expo organizers John Githinji said that the main reason for the Expo was to enhance dairy farmers to benefit from the production of milk since lately the production of the commodity has been low thus the farmers not benefitting.
He said their main aim was to enlighten farmers of the current technologies in agriculture through machines, giving their animals quality enhanced feeds to maximize productivity.
Githinji who is also the chairman of Newfortis Sacco noted that due to climate change productivity has been affected in the region and the farmers have to change their old farming methods.
He also said that financial institutions were also present to educate farmers on savings and getting loans to expand their farming activities thus increasing their income and improving their livelyhoods.
Among the exhibitors Archidiocese of Nyeri (ADN), Hill Farm head Fr. Peterson Ndegwa noted that the exhibition included all stakeholders in the farming sector and was very beneficial to farmers.
He added that the Expo waa a gamechanger when it comes to farming in the region and that will ensure food security within the area.
Hill Farm which is under the Archidiocese of Nyeri produces coffee and value added milk.
Fr. Ndegwa noted that technology in farming is evolving daily and more research on farming techiques is required.
He said that they work closely with the county government and the church do their best in mobilising farmers to attend the expo.
Meshack Aura the HillFarm marketing manager in the coffee section, said that they are showcasing their coffee farming methods and the value added coffee to farmers present as a challenge to them since the region has been affected by poor crop production and many farmers have resulted to uprooting the crop and venturing to other areas.
He said that they are teaching farmers on the varieties of coffee plants and what is done to ensure quality produce that fetches good price.
He added that education is key to even farming and this is what many farmers lack and they continue using traditional methods thus lowering their productivity.
Meshack noted that farmers should also make use of the localy available manure from their farms compared to fertilizers as they are expensive and when used inapproprietly will lead to losses.
Another Exhibitor present was Alex Gathii, a dairy expert running Tanolope Consultancy was teaching farmers on how to increase their dairy production, what to give to cows to ensure quality and quantity production of milk on low costs, such as the types of vines with proteins and the required amounts.
He was also teaching them on the best quality forage to grow requiring little water to grow and can be beneficial to farmers and animals during this dry period experienced in the area.
Wananchi DT Sacco Dieector James Waithitu said that they were educating farmers on savings and the affodable loans to support farmers during this hard economic times.
He added that they are encouraging farmers on account oppening with them and get paid through their sacco which increases their chances of getting affordable loans to increase their farming capacity.
The Sacco boosts of having 10 branches in various regional counties serving thousands of farmers and business community.
He said that they are open to anybody, and encouraged small scall farmers to join grops and this way they will also benefit with their affordable loans.
Vidhata Company also in the Expo were showcasing a silage making machine thats cuts forage and packs for storage to feed to animals.
The company chairman Mukesh Vidhata noted that the silo pack machine has a capacity of making 10 bags in an hour with each bag weighing 60kg.
He adivised farmers to buy the machine as it will help them to store the forage when in plenty to use when there is less feed for the animals.
Mukesh said that when the forage is being cut and packed by the machine the farmer can also add additives such as mollases and any required additive for animal feeds with less or no contamination.
He said that the silage made by the machine can be stored for over an year by the farmer.
The machine is made locally, with avaliable materials and its the only of its kind in the country.
