Following the example of the last two years, the 3rd edition of the Meru Fair, renamed this year as “Meru Agribiashara Expo” (Agribusiness Expo de Meru), was held from 27 to 29 October 2016 in the village of Kikatiti 30km east of Arusha. During these 3 days, 6,000 visitors visited 40 agricultural professional organizations offering a wide variety of inputs, equipment and services for farmers; They also had the opportunity to participate in proposed seminars throughout these three days.
In the Meru district, an Arusha peri-urban area with high agricultural potential, there are already many private enterprises and parastatal organizations, producer organizations or NGOs that offer services to farmers.
The Meru Fair was once again an opportunity for producers to be in direct contact with representatives and technicians from various agricultural organizations in the region: suppliers of equipment, input distributors, financial institutions, processors, Or news magazines and development agencies. The latter offered a wide range of products that could meet many needs, both for agricultural entrepreneurs and small farmers. On the equipment side, for example, the offer ranged from tractors to small-scale, low-cost handicrafts.
After the visit of the stands, it was possible to participate in presentations and exchanges led by partner organizations and exhibitors under the conference tent. The topics covered in the seminars ranged from entrepreneurship in agriculture to training in the management of small and medium-sized farms, to more technical aspects such as the selection of quality seed and post-harvest storage equipment.
This edition was also marked by a strong participation of producer organizations who had the opportunity to present their productions, to provide technical advice to visitors but also to make their products known to a wider audience. Numerous productions were represented such as cows and dairy goats, fish farming and market gardening, but also less widespread production such as rabbit breeding and honey production for which demand is increasing sharply.
