Migori residents have applauded the County management for hosting a successful Migori Agricultural Show that opened its door on October 5, after a three-year absence.
The Migori show which started as a Harambee show in the 1980s has grown into a South Western Kenya branch and this year managed to attract more than 40 exhibitors drawn from banking, manufacturing, hospitality, small and medium enterprises, education, and agriculture sectors with a lot of innovative and new technologies being displayed.
The three-day event agricultural show that ends today (Saturday, October 7) was last hosted in 2019 and has this year focused on showcasing and promoting climate-smart agriculture and trade initiatives for sustainable economic growth.
Migori County Governor Dr. Ochilo Ayacko while opening the show at Lichota grounds on Thursday encouraged area residents and investors to utilize the skills and knowledge acquired to enhance their agricultural and trade entrepreneurship.
The Governor who is also the new Patron of the Kenya Agricultural Society of Kenya said that Migori should have centric investors to promote, generate, and use wealth that will be retained in the county.
He thus urged Migori farmers to venture more into agro-business to ensure the county is food secure for a healthier and more productive workforce.
“Our county receives enough rainfall and has more arable land that can be utilized to sustain the majority of the crops,” he said.
Governor Ochilo also disclosed that the county was in the process of identifying 35,000 acreage of land for palm trees to boost local livelihoods with the harvest to be processed in the industrial park under construction in Nyatike Sub County.
The Chairperson of Migori Agricultural Show Mr. Daniel Kenyatta said that the role of ASK is to promote and provide important platforms for sharing critical knowledge and skills as well as showcasing technological innovations with the aim of boosting food security in the country.
Kenyatta said that the technology and innovation being shown in the 40 stands by various investors will equip the local farmers, school-going children, and investors with the necessary skills and knowledge in the agricultural and trade sectors.
Calvin Omondi, a tour guide from Migori noted that the Migori ASK is a strategic show that will give opportunity to hospitality industry in medium and small enterprises due to its closeness to the Maasai Mara National Park in Narok County and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
He however urged the youth to utilise the skills of the investors and innovators to create wealth through self-employment instead of engaging in dangerous activities to earn a living.
By Geoffrey Makokha
