The three-day revived Kitui agricultural show and trade fair 2023 have come to a close with an impressive turnout of over 70,000 attendees. The event, which had not been held since 2017, was officially closed by Kitui Trade executive Rose Mutuku on Saturday at the Ithookwe show grounds, where Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani was also present.
Kanani expressed his joy at the success of the Kitui show, noting that it led to a business boom. Several local businesses benefited greatly, with one hotelier reporting full bookings since the beginning of the week, indicating a thriving business environment.
To ensure the show grounds do not fall into disuse again, the Culture department plans to take over its management and prevent vandalism, which had previously resulted in expensive repairs.
Before the closing ceremony, Mutuku and other guests toured various exhibition stands, where she praised the show for providing exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase their products, interact with potential customers, and network with others in their industries.
The theme of the event, “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security and Economic Growth,” aligned with the Trade executive’s mandate of creating an enabling environment for trade and investments. The show exposed businesses to new technologies and emerging trends, and potential investors gained valuable information on investment opportunities.
Mutuku’s department aims to collaborate with the national government, development agencies, county departments, investors, and stakeholders to achieve the industrialization agenda for Kitui. Efforts are also being made to support micro, small, and medium enterprises and create a 24-hour economy.
To further support agricultural development, the executive welcomed the establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) through a collaboration between the national and county governments across Kenya. These parks will facilitate bulk purchasing and selling of agro-produce, benefiting small-scale farmers and contributing to the aggregation, marketing, and export of produce from the entire country. CAIPs will also boost agro-processing, increase farmer income, create jobs, and reduce post-harvest losses while connecting counties through commodity exchange and warehouse receipting.
Overall, the show was a successful event that not only promoted agricultural and trade initiatives but also fostered economic growth and development in the region.
