RVIST agribusiness expo set for August 9 in Nakuru
Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology Principal Dan Mutai during a media briefing at the institution on June 25, 2019. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
RVIST Principal Dan Mutai said the farmers will receive tips on new innovations that have been developed at the institute.
During this year’s expo, farmers will have a chance to see the latest innovation of ploughing, tractor calibration, and silage making.
There will also be livestock and farm machinery and implements exhibitions among other innovations.
The 10th edition of the annual Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) agribusiness expo will be held between August 9 and 10 in Nakuru.
RVIST Principal Dan Mutai said the institution had partnered with Nakuru County government to host the annual event which seeks to enhance the training of local farmers on how to boost food production.
“We have realised that many farmers do not have the technical training, so we want to link the farmers with the experts we are training,” said Mr Mutai.
He said the farmers will receive tips on new innovations that have been developed at RVIST.
“We have experts in dairy farming who can help farmers boost their milk production and yields,” he said.
LOCAL FARMERS
He said the institute was working on a programme that will see their trainees work with local farmers.
“We have changed our old model of students’ attachment. Instead of asking them to go out and look for attachment placements, we want them to work with local farmers so that they can put the knowledge they have learnt into practice,” said Mr Mutai.
He said during this year’s expo, farmers will have a chance to see the latest innovation of ploughing, tractor calibration, and silage making.
There will also be livestock and farm machinery and implements exhibitions among other innovations.
More than 20 exhibitors and over 3,000 farmers across the county are expected to attend.
“For the last two years, Nakuru has had good rains and we want to teach farmers on the best practices to preserve their pasture during drought,” said Mr Mutai.
PEDIGREE COWS
He announced that there will also be an auction of pedigree cows. Last year, at least 16 pedigree cows were sold in a competitive auction.
“We won’t charge any entry fees as we want as many farmers as possible to attend,” he added.
Mr Mutai said the institution wants to exploit its population of 7,000 students to change the lifestyles of local farmers.
He said the students were well equipped as the institution had embraced the competency-based curriculum developed by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).
According to TVETA the learners can equip themselves with skills and stand a chance to create their own employment opportunities.
