Institute champions innovation and intellectual property protection at the Kaimosi Agricultural Expo 2026
Photo: Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, the Chief Guest, giving his keynote address during the Kaimosi Agricultural Expo 2026 in KARTC, Nandi County
The Institute participated as one of the sponsors of the 2026 Kaimosi Agricultural Training Centre Expo held in Nandi County under the theme “Adopting Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture through Value Addition.”
The Expo, which was held at the Kaimosi Agricultural Research and Training Centre (KARTC), Nandi County, from 6th to 7th August 2026, brought together farmers from across Nandi County and the neighboring Vihiga County, alongside government institutions, development partners and other agricultural stakeholders.
The field day focused on three key outcomes - transferring appropriate agricultural technologies to farmers, expanding market linkages and encouraging young people to embrace agriculture as a viable and innovative economic activity.
The programme also sought to support farmers in adopting climate-smart and efficient agronomic practices in response to unpredictable weather patterns, soil acidity and the rising cost of farm inputs.
The Institute leveraged on the Expo to sensitise farmers on the importance of innovation and intellectual property (IP) protection in agriculture. A team of its officers engaged individual farmers and leaders of cooperative societies on the role of IP rights in protecting new technologies, agricultural products, brands and other innovative solutions developed within the farming sector.
Farmers were encouraged to recognise IP as an important tool for strengthening their enterprises, promoting value addition and creating opportunities for commercialisation in line with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Those with innovative products and solutions were taken through the requisite procedures of applying for trade marks, patents, industrial designs and utility models to help them begin protecting their IP assets. The Expo brought together a wide range of leaders and partners committed to advancing agricultural development and innovation.
The event was graced by H.E. Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, alongside Felix Koskei, Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff to the President, who is also the Chairperson of the Centre.
The event was hosted by H.E. Stephen Sang, Governor of Nandi County. The Institute Chairman Allan Kosgey participated alongside other stakeholders, while organisations including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) supported the broader agricultural development agenda.The Institute’s participation in the Expo demonstrates its continued commitment to taking IP awareness and services closer to innovators at the grassroots.
As farmers increasingly adopt technology and develop innovative approaches to production, processing, packaging and marketing, protecting their IP can help them build stronger enterprises and benefit from their creativity and investment. Through continued collaboration with farmers, cooperatives, government agencies and development partners, the Institute will continue promoting a culture of innovation and IP protection as part of efforts to advance sustainable agriculture, value addition and inclusive economic development in Kenya.