At the 2024 Nairobi International Trade Fair (NITF), the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) prioritised displaying cutting-edge agricultural technologies to enhance food security, nutrition and climate resilience across Africa.

The trade fair, which is the largest in East Africa, is held annually in Nairobi as a key platform for showcasing innovations and agricultural technologies. It was held from 23 – 29 September 2024.

The Agricultural Society of Kenya organised the fair at the Jamhuri Showground, which attracted over 500 exhibitors from diverse sectors.

This year’s theme, ‘Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth,’ underscored the fair’s commitment to driving sustainable economic growth through climate-smart agriculture and trade initiatives.

TAAT’s participation at the NITF was a celebration of collaborative efforts that led to the development of critical technologies.

The High Iron Beans (HIB) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) technologies, both aimed at addressing nutritional deficits in African communities, were presented in collaboration with research organizations such as the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (ABC) for HIB and the International Potato Center (CIP) for OFSP.

These efforts were further supported by Kenyan agricultural authorities like the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and a processing company named Sweetunda.

This collective action demonstrated the power of collaboration in driving agricultural transformation.

The High-Iron Beans (HIB) showcased at the fair demonstrated how nutrient-rich crops can directly combat iron deficiency, a significant health challenge in Africa.

Developed by the Alliance of Bioversity International, CIAT, and KALRO, the HIB varieties are biofortified to contain higher iron levels than traditional beans, making them essential in the fight against malnutrition and iron deficiency anaemia.

This innovation is part of TAAT’s broader goal of enhancing agricultural productivity while addressing food and nutritional security.

Four HIB varieties—Nyota, Angaza, Faida, and Metameta—are promoted in Kenya. These climate-smart varieties are specifically designed to improve nutrition and health outcomes.

Nyota thrives in dry and cold regions, offering high yields even under challenging conditions. Angaza and Faida are well-suited for mid- to high-altitude areas and provide substantial harvests. Metameta is a versatile variety that performs well in various environments.

These HIB varieties were showcased as seeds and made available for purchase to encourage adoption.

Additionally, demonstration plots had been established to educate visitors about distinguishing the varieties and best agricultural practices, including seeding rates, planting density, spacing, soil health management, and other vital management techniques.

The Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) Compact, a partnership with CIP, engaged visitors in discussions about OFSP’s potential to boost nutrition and create jobs and income.

The TAAT OFSP Compact showcased various innovative technologies to address African agricultural challenges.

These included several climate-smart varieties and pest—and disease-tolerant varieties. The varieties promoted in Kenya are Kenspot, Irene, Sumia, and Delvia. These were also made available in plant pots for visitors to interact with and learn about.

A variety of delicious recipes were showcased to encourage the consumption of OFSP. Visitors could sample a range of OFSP-based treats, from muffins and cakes to chapati, mandazi, crisps, crackers, and more.

In addition, the OFSP Compact promoted the nutritional value of sweet potato leaves and flour. It provided educational materials on the health benefits of OFSP Puree and its accompanying Healthy Baby Toolkit. OFSP, with its high beta-carotene content, is a valuable source of vitamin A, addressing critical nutritional gaps, especially in children and pregnant women.

A key element of TAAT’s success at the trade fair was the strong presence of ENABLE-TAAT, a youth-led agribusiness initiative led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

ENABLE-TAAT empowers young agripreneurs to commercialise and scale TAAT technologies, accelerating the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Young innovators at the fair showcased how advancements like HIB and OFSP create exciting employment platforms and opportunities for their generation.

An example is the TAAT Youth in Kenya, who run agribusiness parks dedicated to seed multiplication for various crops. They demonstrate how technology integrates seamlessly into agribusiness, from seed business and multiplication to best agronomy practices, farm services, value addition, and market linkage.

These young entrepreneurs have also played a crucial role in developing and commercialising OFSP-based products, making them readily available in local markets. In a continent where youth comprise the majority, their involvement is paramount to driving technology adoption, innovation, and economic growth.

“TAAT indeed is an asset to mankind,” Dr Isaac Kalua Green, an Environmentalist, entrepreneur, and Chief Steward of Green Africa Foundation, stated after a visit to the TAAT stand.

Prof. Theophus Mutui, the Managing Director of Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) expressed his delight with TAAT’s “very good work in biofortified orange-fleshed sweet potato.” “This is work well done, and the display looks good; keep it up,” the KEPHIS Director added.

TAAT strategically utilised the Nairobi International Trade Fair (NITF) as a platform to forge strategic alliances with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Collaborations with renowned organizations are instrumental in accelerating the dissemination and adoption of climate-smart agricultural innovations across Africa.