The 2026 County Agricultural Show and Trade Fair in West Pokot County, Kenya, brought together farmers, agricultural experts, and development partners to promote climate-smart agriculture and sustainable economic growth. The event, held from September 24 to 26, showcased technologies, innovations, and opportunities across the agricultural value chain. Governor Simon Kachapin officially opened the exhibition, emphasizing the importance of efficient production, value addition, and market access.
The agricultural show featured an Indigenous Seed Fair, where farmers displayed, exchanged, and learned about seeds preserved by communities for generations. This was the first such event in the county, providing a platform for farmers to conserve agricultural biodiversity and ensure knowledge about seeds adapted to local environments. The event also launched the West Pokot Agroecology Implementation Framework, supported by BIBA Kenya, to translate the county's agroecology policy into practical interventions.
Governor Kachapin highlighted the significance of agroecology and initiatives promoting farming systems suited to local conditions while protecting the environment. He noted that the county had experienced poor crop performance due to inadequate rainfall and encouraged farmers to plant short-maturing crops to take advantage of anticipated El Niño rains. The Governor also engaged with the Kenya Seed Company to provide varieties suitable for lowland areas and capable of maturing within a short period.
Anne Maina, National Coordinator of BIBA Kenya, emphasized the importance of indigenous seeds and the need for farmers to conserve agricultural biodiversity. She noted that the agroecology policy, launched last year, provides a practical roadmap for putting the policy into action. The initiative places farmers and communities at the center of efforts to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable food systems, and strengthen resilience to changing weather patterns.
The exhibition also highlighted the importance of farmer-to-farmer exchange, with indigenous seeds representing more than food production, including traditional medicine and farming practices that form part of the cultural identity of communities. The event provided an important bridge between traditional knowledge and modern agricultural innovations, allowing farmers to learn from one another while exploring new opportunities in agribusiness.
International partners, including Marco Vinicio Vargas, The Consul General of the Embassy of Costa Rica, attended the exhibition, emphasizing the need for farmers to adapt their production methods as climatic conditions continue to change. Vargas encouraged farmers to reconsider excessive reliance on manufactured fertilizers and explore organic farming and the use of manure, arguing that sustainable soil management was essential for long-term food production.
The agricultural trade fair has become a learning platform connecting farmers from different regions with technologies, markets, and farming practices that can help them adapt to changing conditions. For West Pokot, where agricultural production is closely tied to rainfall, the conservation of indigenous seeds could provide an additional layer of resilience. The event aimed to motivate residents to embrace agribusiness and contribute to the country's food production and food security targets.
Key points
- West Pokot County is promoting climate-smart agriculture through an agricultural show and initiatives supporting farmers in adopting new farming methods and technologies.
- The county government is emphasizing agroecology and initiatives promoting farming systems suited to local conditions while protecting the environment.
- The conservation of indigenous seeds is crucial for ensuring agricultural biodiversity and resilience to changing weather patterns in West Pokot County.
