In the framework of the follow-up program, AgrarKontakte International (AKI) e.V. and Bukura Agricultural College (BAC) continued their efforts to empower the alumni of the German-African Trainee Program (GATP) by facilitating their participation in the Nakuru Agricultural Show 2023. The show took place from 12th to 16th July in Nakuru and centered around the theme of “Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth.”

The Nakuru Agricultural Show has a rich tradition of showcasing various aspects of the agricultural sector, serving as a hub for livestock exhibitions, crop displays, agricultural machinery demonstrations, and innovative farming techniques. This annual event provided a valuable platform for farmers, agribusinesses, and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, showcase their products, and stay updated on the latest trends in agriculture and related industries.

During the show, the alumni had the chance to explore cutting-edge technologies, farm equipment, and agricultural inputs that promote climate resilience and resource efficiency. The interactions with industry experts, agricultural experts, and fellow farmers allowed the alumni to gain valuable insights and foster new ideas for their own agricultural pursuits.

Powerful testimonials from the alumni highlighted the significance of such exhibitions in fostering innovation and industry connections:

"I appreciate the exposure to climate-smart agriculture practices; they can positively impact both the environment and farmers' livelihoods." - Richard See, 2022 cohort member.

"The Nakuru Agricultural Show showcases potential for sustainable economic growth through agriculture. These events reinforce the importance of continuous learning and technology-driven solutions."- Washington Ouma and Rapudo Marylyne, 2022 cohort members.

"The show is a window to the future of agriculture, displaying the latest innovations and approaches to overcome sector challenges." - Abigael Nuna, 2021 cohort member.

"The Nakuru Agricultural Show opened my eyes to the possibilities of climate-smart farming. It enriched my knowledge and motivation to implement eco-friendly practices on my farm."- Pascal Musala, 2021 cohort member.

Jacinta Irungu Wanjiku, the team leader of cohort 1, expressed, "On behalf of cohort 1, we are grateful for the learning and networking opportunities that have been given to us. We believe that each of these moments, including the Nakuru Show, will be of great impact in one way or the other in our careers. The Nakuru excursion was attended by a good number of alumni, and they all had a great time."

Joshua Olwanda, the team leader of cohort 2, stated, "the Nakuru National show was a wonderful exhibition for all of us as we could see the real Agricultural practices with adequate evidence to prove the practice."

"Thanks to AKI for organizing another valuable event; it proved to be yet another milestone for the GATP alumni in their journey towards becoming successful and impactful agricultural professionals."- Davies Kamau Ngure, Senior Lecturer, and Program Coordinator from BAC.

The traineeship program is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as part of the global project "Green Innovation Centres in the Agro-Food Sector (GIAE)". The aim of the project is to increase the income of smallholder farms, enhance employment and the regional supply of food in the rural target regions of Africa through innovations in the agricultural and food sector. Within this framework, AgrarKontakte International (AKI) e.V. has been granted to implement the traineeship program with Kenya since 2019.