The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Thomas Cheruiyot, hosted the ABTF Breakfast Forum bringing together the sponsors as part of the activities building towards the main event to be held on September 12th, 13th and 14th, 2024.
The University of Eldoret Agribusiness Trade Fair, now in its 17th year, is celebrated as one of the best attended agricultural trade fairs within the North Rift, bringing together main players in agriculture with the related value chains, dairy and livestock with the related value chains, the agrochemical industry players, aquaculture and related, financial partners in the banking and insurance sector, government institutions, county government and individual companies.
Prof. Cheruiyot thanked the partners who have walked with the University through the years and mentioned that the trade fair this year would be bigger and more exciting considering the diversification of various areas of interest to the attendees. Noting that last year there were close to 14,000 registered farmers who visited the trade fair, in 2024 the anticipated number of farmers expected to go through the University gates is 20,000. He mentioned that the trade fair not only would engage in business development and showcasing cutting-edge innovations, products and services, but additionally provide the stakeholders, researchers, students and industry the opportunity to reach a concentrated audience of farmers who have the need for their products.
“By sponsoring the trade fair,” he said, “our partners will directly contribute to the sustainability and community development which will aid in promoting advanced agricultural practices, ensure food security and foster innovation, aligning clearly with the corporate social responsibility objectives of the university thus allowing your company to make a tangible impact.”
He mentioned that compliments and feedback based on previous experiences were important to the committee as would assist in meeting the expectations of the various key players and eventually realizing the dream of making it an international trade fair in the coming years.
The Vice-Chancellor introduced the team leaders who would be steering the UoE ABTF 2024;
- Prof. Miriam Kinyua - ABTF Chairperson
- Dr. David Kios - ABTF Vice-Chairperson
The partners who attended the breakfast forum underscored the importance of the University working with the industry not only at the trade fair level but also in other areas including promoting faculty research and development, innovations and entrepreneurship and improving the students engagement with the industry considering food security and nutrition are the pillars of the country and align with SDG 2 - Zero Hunger, SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13 - Climate Action.
The companies represented at the Breakfast Forum were;
- ASNET
- Bancella East Africa
- Brookside Limited
- Cereal Growers Association
- CKL Africa
- Cograponics Africa
- Co-operative Bank
- Corteva
- Customised Aviation Services
- East African Malting Limited
- Equity Bank
- Hand In Hand East Africa
- Hydrotech East Africa
- KASS Media Group
- KCB Foundation
- Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization
- KOFAR Kenya Limited
- National Bank of Kenya
- Simlaw Seeds
- SunCulture
- Syngenta E.A.
- UNGA Group PLC
Present during the ABTF Breakfast Forum were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (PRE) - Prof. Philip Raburu, Deputy Vice Chancellor (AF) - Prof. Wilson Ng’etich and members of the ABTF Committee; Prof. Julius Ochuodho, Dr. Philip Chemwok, Ms. Cynthia Chebii, Ms. Christine Tomno, Mr. Bethuel Masiga, Mr. Hillary Ketem and Mr. Cosmas Mutai.
This years’ theme is;
Promoting Climate Smart Agripreneurship and Value Addition to Spur Industrialization for Sustainable Development.
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