Chuka: Despite steady gains in agricultural production, Kenya continues to grapple with significant post-harvest losses that erode farmer incomes and undermine national food security.
According to Kenya News Agency, stakeholders recently convened at Chuka University to tackle this challenge, unveiling practical, scalable solutions aimed at strengthening the entire grain value chain from harvest to market. The agribusiness expo, which attracted more than 1,500 farmers and about 30 exhibitors, was convened by the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) in partnership with Chuka University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies and Resource Development.
The event brought together key actors across the agricultural ecosystem, including development partners such as AGRA and Africa Harvest, financial institutions, agribusiness firms, grain traders, and county government representatives. At the center of discussions was the persistent challenge of post-harvest losses, widely recognized as one of the most critical constraints to agricultural productivity gains in the region.
Speaking during the expo, EAGC Executive Director Gerald Masila emphasized the initiative’s focus on bridging the gap between production and post-harvest management through practical, farmer-centered interventions. He highlighted the growing adoption of hermetic storage technologies that have significantly improved grain preservation by eliminating oxygen-dependent pests without reliance on chemical preservatives.
Masila also stressed the importance of good agronomic and post-harvest practices, including using tarpaulins during harvesting to prevent contamination. Among the participating farmers was Amos Njagi, a maize and bean farmer from Tharaka Nithi County, who described the expo as a turning point in his approach to farming. Njagi acknowledged that post-harvest losses have historically eroded a significant portion of his returns due to reliance on conventional storage methods.
Through expo demonstrations, Njagi was introduced to hermetic storage systems and grain moisture management technologies that have fundamentally shifted his understanding of post-harvest handling. He expressed his intention to adopt these technologies and share the knowledge with fellow farmers in his community.
Extension officers played a critical role in translating technical knowledge into actionable guidance for farmers. Mercy Karimi, who trains farmers, emphasized the importance of strengthening last-mile agricultural advisory services to accelerate the adoption of improved post-harvest practices. She noted that limited access to affordable storage technologies continues to constrain many smallholder farmers.
Dr. Jafford Njeru from Chuka University highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration in addressing structural challenges within the agricultural sector. He observed that universities must position themselves as active partners in innovation dissemination and problem-solving.
Beyond technology transfer, the expo facilitated direct engagement between farmers and structured buyers, including grain aggregators and market hubs. Participants were exposed to climate-smart agriculture innovations, mechanization solutions, agritech platforms, financial services, and post-harvest management technologies.
Experts at the expo reiterated that addressing post-harvest losses is central to achieving food security and improving agricultural competitiveness. The Chuka agribusiness expo signaled a strategic shift toward a more integrated agricultural development model, prioritizing not only production but also storage efficiency, value addition, and market access.
For farmers like Amos Njagi, the transformation is both practical and immediate. He expressed optimism about the potential financial impact of reduced post-harvest losses, stating, “The difference will be in how much I save after harvest. If losses reduce, then everything else in farming starts to make sense financially.”