The annual Mombasa International Show opened its doors to Mombasa residents on Thursday at the Mkomani Show grounds in Nyali, marking the 123rd Edition of one of Kenya’s oldest trade fairs which began in 1903 and matured to its current international status in 2002.
Speaking during the official opening, Mombasa County Deputy Governor, Francis Toya, expressed enthusiasm for the show, which he said, gives agricultural traders and exhibitors a platform to showcase their range of products, while allowing local residents to learn from them.
“This year’s International Show has more investors than the 180 investors from last year’s event,” the Deputy Governor said.
This year’s show is themed “Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth,” a shift from last year’s focus on innovation and technology, reflecting growing national concern over erratic weather patterns and their impact on farm output.
The National Chairman of the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK), Dr John Kibira, invited members of the public to attend and learn from agricultural experts during the five-day event, which runs through September 6 and features 250 exhibitions.
These include certified seed displays from Kenyan seed-producing firms, including Tsavo Seeds and Kenya Seed Company.
Kibira urged farmers to purchase seeds at the show and take advantage of the anticipated El Niño rains to plant.
The Coast Development Authority (CDA) Project Manager, Esther Kirigha, said the Authority is implementing a Drought Mitigation Project.
CDA is a regional statutory body established to plan and coordinate development in the six coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta, with a mandate spanning water resources, natural resource conservation and socio-economic development.
The project targets the Kenyan Coast, an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of which is classified as arid and semi-arid land. CDA has constructed boreholes and water pans to improve livelihoods for coastal residents.
Kirigha said the CDA is also running Blue Economy initiatives focused on the exploitation and rehabilitation of marine resources, including mangrove and coral reef restoration along the coast, as well as community development projects targeting women and youth.
She cited the Malindi Integrated Social Health Development Project and the Mjanaheri-Ngomeni Road as examples of the Authority’s community work.
“We have partnered with the Italian Government to get funding, together with organisations concerned with facilitating projects under the Blue Economy, and Community-Based Organizations like Pwani Hydro-tech Youth Group, who promote Climate-Smart Agriculture,” Kirigha said.
By Phillip Kipele
