Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has expressed her commitment to support agricultural initiatives to foster the region’s economic growth.
During the Meru 56th Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show at Gitoro Showground, Mwangaza said agriculture was the backbone of the county’s economy, with over 70 per cent of its population relying on it directly or indirectly.
She said the County contributes seven per cent to the country’s GDP, with its agricultural production ranked first, surpassing the next contributing county at five per cent.
“It is worth noting that producers in Meru are our diligent small-scale farmers who, despite their small farms, generate food for local consumption and national and international markets.
“The region’s role in ensuring food security, improving nutrition, creating wealth, and generating employment cannot be overstated,” said Mwangaza.
Meru County, she added, is endowed with diverse climatic conditions and rich volcanic soils, making it ideal for agricultural activities including the vibrant dairy, tea, and other agricultural sub-sectors.
To further support the daily subsector, the governor said her administration had provided needy households with dairy cows, sheds, and capacity-building initiatives.
“We also run various programmes to support farmers through training and technological promotion, as well as the provision of farm inputs, modernisation of factories, formation of ward Saccos, and assistance with seed capital to carry out initial activities. We also assist farmers affected by locusts’ invasion with dairy goats, farm inputs, and avocado seedlings,” she added.
“We have supported poultry farmers with feeds and sorghum farmers with conservation agricultural equipment, drought-tolerant sorghum, and aflatoxin control measures,” said Mwangaza.
She also said that one of the significant challenges Meru’s agricultural sector faces is the impact of climate change, which has led to an erratic weather pattern like prolonged droughts, inadequate rainfall, flash floods as recently witnessed, and a general loss of biodiversity essential for agriculture.
She said the County has implemented various adaptation and mitigation measures, including the promotion of climate-smart agriculture technologies and conservation agriculture through capacity building and rehabilitation of degraded land and water catchment areas.
“This show consistently offers valuable opportunities for producers, manufacturers, traders, and consumers to forge effective economic partnerships.
“The decision to exhibit or attend this year’s show is commendable and beneficial. You have a prime opportunity for learning and networking, which will help establish efficient production and trading systems, fueling the economic growth of the county,” said Mwangaza.
With the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for traders and service providers, she added, investors will find Meru County as an ideal business destination.
On her part, ASK national Chairperson Annabel Kiriinya said that the platform provided by national shows and exhibitions plays a key role in promoting regional trade and economic integration, fostering healthy competition, expanding market access, diversifying investment prospects, and significantly contributing to social economic stability and political harmony within the region.
“This year’s theme: Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth, embodies the essence of our agricultural shows and trade fairs, as well as our unwavering commitment as stakeholders in the agricultural sector and aligning with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda,” said Kiriinya.
She said the society has completed the development of the Meru Showground integrated land use masterplan concept, which envisages several developments such as a state lodge, a VIP pavilion, a regional exhibition and conference centre, a business incubation centre, an agricultural training centre, and a commercial and cultural centre, among many other investments.
These, she added, will ensure all-year-round utilisation of the Meru showground for purposes of networking, planning, and showcasing.
She requested the County leadership’s assistance in fast-tracking the masterplan, which they believe will benefit the people of Meru and Kenya at large.
By Dickson Mwiti
