Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Kiprono Ronoh has said that the government plans to assign new roles to the Agricultural Society of Kenya (A.S.K) through quarterly sub-shows nationwide.

Speaking at Eldama Ravine town during a two-day farmers’ field event, Dr Ronoh noted with concern that ASK shows held yearly are not properly optimized to achieve the full potential and intended purpose.

The PS stated that the government had considered transitioning ASK to agro-cities whereby when a show is done, all the products from the county are displayed and, in this way, investors will be able to identify products from the county and distinguish export products.

 “In Baringo, for example, there could be sub-shows which could be held quarterly in different constituencies and at the end of the year they showcase all their products in one show,” he said.

He underscored the need of holding the shows at the constituency level in order to capacity-build farmers on best agricultural practices.

He called upon Governor Benjamin Cheboi to establish a permanent building at the Kabarnet main showground where a collection of products could be kept and accessed anytime by anyone including visitors.

Cheboi in his remarks welcomed the move and acknowledged the impact such shows would have in linking farmers to various markets and potential partners who might want to support them.

He stated that championing such exhibitions will make farmers to embrace transformative technologies and modern methods of farming to enhance growth and development which, subsequently, could improve the agricultural sector.

Eldama Ravine Member of Parliament Musa Sirma, who had requested the PS for more of such exhibitions after the two days of successful event, said the region is the biggest contributor of agricultural produce in the county and therefore needed the support of his department and other stakeholders to penetrate global markets.