Farmers urged to embrace technology

Farmers have been urged to attend the Agritec Africa International Exhibition and Conference on Agriculture and Agricultural Technologies to gain a better understanding of emerging innovations. 

Statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) show, as of 2025, approximately 673 million people worldwide, about 8.2 per cent of the global population, face hunger, with around 295 million experiencing acute hunger. 

Speaking Thursday at the curtain-raiser ceremony of the 12th edition of Agritec Africa, scheduled for June 17–19 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, Hamisi Williams, assistant FAO representative in Kenya, said agriculture must evolve to meet this demand as millions continue to face hunger.

Such evolution cannot happen without the direct involvement of farmers. 

He said platforms such as Agritec are where transformation begins. Yet, too often, technology is discussed in conference halls but fails to reach those who need it most.

“When farmers experience technology first-hand, they are more likely to adopt and benefit from it, rather than remain on the sidelines of innovation,” said Williams. 

“Agricultural technology is not just about improving farming practices; it is a critical driver of food security, sustainability, and rural development.”

The conference will highlight advancements in mechanisation, irrigation, water harvesting, post-harvest management, value addition and digital agriculture, including e-commerce platforms and data-driven systems. This year’s theme is Improving Farmers’ Income Through Technology. 

Organised by Radeecal Communications, the event will be held concurrently with the 11th Dairy, Livestock and Poultry Expo, as well as the 7th Graintec Africa Expo.

Sanyal Desai, CEO of Radeecal Communications, recalls the first edition, which started on a modest scale in 2014, with limited exhibitors, a focused audience and a strong belief that Africa deserved a dedicated platform for modern agriculture.

“Today, we proudly host participants from numerous countries, bringing together cutting-edge technologies, innovative farming practices and global expertise under one roof,” Desai said. 

The exhibition is expected to attract approximately 15,000 business visitors and over 200 companies from across the agriculture and allied sectors.

There will be around 12 country pavilions, including India, China, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Korea, and Brazil, showcasing the latest agricultural technologies and products – featuring equipment and solutions for the dairy, livestock, poultry, and grain sectors, serving farmers and agribusiness stakeholders in Kenya and across East Africa.

Desai revealed that nearly 70 per cent of the exhibition space has already been sold, and organisers expect to fill all halls and spaces as the event approaches. In the past three editions of Agritec Africa, around 4,000 farmers across Kenya have attended.

Joyce Cerere, corporate communications manager at the Kenya Dairy Board, described Agritec as a vital bridge linking Kenya’s agricultural and dairy sectors with global players, technologies, and markets that would otherwise remain out of reach.

“They bring together the entire value chain, from farmers and cooperatives to processors, technology providers, and policymakers, to connect, collaborate and co-create solutions that drive productivity, quality, and sustainability,” Cerere said. 

She added that the board is committed to strengthening the dairy sector through regulatory excellence, the promotion of safe, high-quality products, value addition, improving farmers’ incomes and expanding market access both locally and internationally.

Dr Kipronoh Ronoh, principal secretary for agriculture, said the Agritec platform continues to strengthen communication, collaboration and the use of technology to improve agricultural productivity, efficiency and service delivery.

“This upcoming conference will be a key moment, not just for Kenya, but for Africa. It will be a platform for decision-making, collaboration, and action to advance agricultural technology and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” Dr Ronoh says.