By Bett
Kipsang’
The thirst for information and new
knowledge, saw thirteen farmers from Sipili sponsor themselves to attended the
Nyeri National Agricultural Society of Kenya (A.S.K) show. Sipili stakeholders forum; an umbrella development body organized the trip that saw six women and
seven men contribute fare and hired a Nissan Matatu to ferry them. Their sole
objective was to learn from the rich display of information at Kabiruini
showgrounds. This year’s theme for ASK shows was "Enhancing technology in
agriculture and industry for food security and national growth."
Gauging
from the conversations farmers had in the vehicle on their way back, i am convinced that the trip to the
show grounds will have a lasting positive impact on the participants.
The Nyeri Agricultural show took place
between 12th and 15th Sept 2012. It is one of the National shows organised
by A.S.K.
The Central Kenya (Nyeri) National Show was started in 1968 at Ruringu Stadium,
it was later moved to the new Showground in Kabiruini in 1997.
Being centrally located in the Central Kenya
region, the show was elevated to National Show status in 2004 to cover Nyeri,
Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Kiambu counties.
The show was attended by 71 exhibitors who
included stakeholders in the following sectors; Agriculture, Livestock,
Horticulture, Tourism, Beekeeping, Transport and Communication, Agro Industries
and Financial Institutions among others. The latter showcased their products
and services to thousands of participants drawn from all over East Africa. See
more exhibitors on the link; http://www.ask.co.ke/branch-events/national-shows/nyeri/participation-5
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| Motor Bike fitted with water pump |
The dairy sector was a source of inspiration
for Mr. Peter Muturi. He was amazed to see a cow which can produce as much as 50
Kilograms of milk per day. Most of the farmers had never seen a cow capable of
producing up to sixty litres of milk per day. ‘‘Am going to buy a cow and start
upgrading to the highest pedigree level’’, said Muturi. He recounted that there
were a lot of pasture back home especially during rainy seasons as now. Milk fetches very high
prices in Sipili almost throughout the year.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and
Technology (JKUAT) put up impressive performance that saw the varsity excel in
the various themes of the show.
Among notable research projects that are
generating great interest at the University stand include; rice production
using reduced amounts of water, a simple and affordable capillary wick
irrigation kit designed to increase food production at household levels while
other scientists at the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences are
conducting studies aimed at providing a cure for snakebites rampant in Kenya.
Other interesting inventions at the exhibition
include a multi-purpose energy saver machine developed by a second year student
of mechanical engineering, Ms. Sarafina Maina that is capable of performing up
to ten different functions at the same time. The machine can be used as a water
boiler, a cooker, domestic water heater, and for baking among its other
functions.
In his speech President Kibaki directed that a
technical team be formed to investigate a new viral strain disease that has
wiped out the maize crop in some parts of the country.
The Independent Electoral and
Boundaries Commission (IEBC) stand has emerged the best in two categories
scooping top awards.
The IEBC stand took position one in
the information and communication category and was also declared the best state
corporation in theme interpretation.
Curious members of the public are
flocking to the IEBC stand to inquire on various electoral issues. IEBC staff
took the opportunity to educate visitors on Biometric Voter Registration (BVR),
elective positions in the next general elections, political parties and the use
of information technology in the electoral process.
ASK generated revenue to run the show
through charging exhibitors between 40,000 and 30,000 for large and small stand
respectively. Adults paid Kshs.200, while children paid - Kshs.150 at the gate.
Special Parties paid Kshs.150 for Adult
and Kshs.100 for children.
Sources:
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