The Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) livestock auction, held at the Jamhuri Park Showground in Nairobi, went live for the first time in the history of the Nairobi International Trade Fair. The auction was one of the highlights of the 125th edition of the trade fair, which was officially opened by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe. Top bulls fetched up to Sh900,000, while a 99kg goat was valued at Sh110,000.
The Supreme Champion Boran bull, weighing 625kg, fetched Sh850,000 after it was bought by Alfazar. Kagwe bought the reserve champion crossbred bull for Sh900,000. The bull weighed 775kg. Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh bought the third bull, weighing 490kg, for Sh450,000. All the winning bulls were from Kenya Seed Company.
A goat weighing 99kg, a Saane hybrid from Musa Juma’s farm in Kisumu County, was sold for Sh110,000. The three-and-a-half-year-old goat was the showstopper at the auction. The auction attracted a large crowd of farmers, livestock breeders, and visitors, adding a commercial dimension to the livestock displays that have traditionally been a major attraction at the Nairobi show.
The 125th edition of the fair, organised by the Agricultural Society of Kenya, has attracted about 400 exhibitors from Kenya and abroad. Agricultural technology, climate-smart farming, and innovation are among the key themes of this year’s exhibition. Farmers, businesses, and families have continued to converge on the showground, where exhibitors are displaying technologies and products covering agriculture, livestock, trade, and other sectors.
ASK Nairobi Branch chairman Levi Mukhweso and ASK chief executive officer Batram Muthoka highlighted the growing role of technology in helping farmers respond to changing weather patterns and other challenges. They noted that agriculture is moving into the digital space, with technologies such as drones being used for spraying farms and demonstrating how technology can change farming practices.
The exhibition also features seed varieties developed to withstand some of the conditions associated with climate change, including high temperatures and drought. Muthoka said players in the seed sector are bringing seed varieties that are able to withstand high temperatures as well as drought. Mukhweso said the exhibition was also giving farmers an opportunity to access agricultural technologies from international exhibitors.
The fair provides an opportunity for farmers to learn how to use artificial intelligence to know which crops to plant and how to plan for the changing weather conditions. With climate-smart agriculture being one of the key focuses this year, exhibitors are showcasing initiatives and technologies that can help farmers mitigate the challenges that come with climate change.
Key points
- Top bulls fetched up to Sh900,000 at the livestock auction.
- A 99kg goat was sold for Sh110,000.
- The 125th edition of the fair has attracted about 400 exhibitors from Kenya and abroad.
