About 60 local and international exhibitors have confirmed participation in 2019’s Mombasa International Agricultural and Trade show (ASK).
According to Mombasa Branch ASK chairperson Ms. Anisa Abdallah preparations for the annual event slated for September 9 are at an advanced stage.
Ms. Abdallah said coast region had embraced agriculture as an important economic activity and urged local farmers and traders to actively participate in 2019’s trade fair to benefit from traditional and emerging business opportunities.
”We look forward to a successful and exciting event that is expected to attract over 140 exhibitors,” said the ASK boss.
Ms. Abdallah made the remarks on Tuesday when the branch officials paid a courtesy call on Coast Development Authority (CDA) Managing Director Mohammed Keinan.
Keinan said youth and community groups have a critical role in the realisation of the multi-billion Blue Economy programmes.
He singled out Coral reef restoration that targets to increase fish stocks in the Indian Ocean as one of the key projects being undertaken by coastal youth.
”On our part, we have embarked on massive plantation of over 350,000 mangrove trees to restore the Indian Ocean shoreline which is key to Blue Economy,” said Keinan.
He said the project involves working at the community level with individual fishermen and groups to restore the reefs along the coastline of Wasini Island in Kwale County.
Keinan lamented that coral reef habitats in Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu counties had been seriously degraded due to over fishing and other beach activities.
By Mohamed Hassan
