Agri Expo to showcase affordable farm technologies

Smallholder farmers will have an opportunity to access affordable agricultural technologies at the 2026 Africa International Agricultural Expo (AIAE), scheduled for October 23–25, 2026 at KICC, Nairobi.

Agriculture Secretary James Wanjohi said the expo will showcase technologies covering production, harvesting, irrigation, processing and value addition.

Wanjohi said last year’s event demonstrated strong demand for low-cost equipment, including maize shellers.

“There are technologies that are affordable, that can be used in the field, that can be used by small scale farmers, by our youth. So, there are technologies for all.”

He encouraged farmers to explore financing options, including credit from the Agricultural Finance Corporation and other financial institutions. He also urged farmers to form cooperatives to jointly acquire and share costly machinery.

Wanjohi said technology adoption would increase if farmers could see clear financial returns from value addition and access to markets.

“That technology that is being pushed must also come with some earning. That value must give an extra earning to the farmers.”

Agri-Africa Expo CEO Tito Mutai said more than 100 Chinese companies are expected at the expo, following strong participation in the 2025 edition.

He said the event aims to connect farmers with equipment manufacturers, suppliers and buyers.

“The purpose of an exhibition is to create meaningful interactions that will lead eventually to a business transaction.”

Mutai said the expo will feature both small and large machinery, including hand tractors, maize shellers and animal-feed equipment, while promoting partnerships for local fabrication and assembly.

Hunan Hongxing International Exhibition (HXIE), Director of Market Development Flacko Wang said Chinese exhibitors are keen on supplying affordable machinery for small-scale farmers and supporting value addition for Kenyan products such as tea, coffee, flowers and avocados.