MUTITHI: In an effort to modernize agricultural practices and increase crop yields, Agitech, an independent seedlings company, along with its partners, hosted a significant agricultural expo in Mutithi, Kirinyaga County. The event, titled Agitech Expo 2024, was designed to introduce farmers to advanced farming techniques and new agricultural technologies, including a digital farming application that aids in decision-making. According to Kenya News Agency, the expo featured a variety of learning sessions and live demonstrations aimed at enhancing the farmers' understanding of modern agriculture. William Ngeno, CEO of Yara Company, one of the event's partners, emphasized that the expo was an opportunity for farmers to explore innovative farming methods, particularly in the use of fertilizers and crop variety selection. Ngeno highlighted the introduction of the Farmcare Platform, a mobile application that provides detailed crop cycles, weather forecasts, and a fertilizer calculator. This tool, now integrated wi th MPESA for transactions, is seen as a crucial development in helping farmers scale their operations more efficiently. Ngeno also pointed out that the Agitech Centre, part of the expo's attractions, serves as a knowledge hub where farmers can learn about sustainable water management, soil health improvement, and other farming techniques tailored to their specific challenges. The center allows for practical learning and experimentation with crop rotation, balancing fertilizer use, and optimizing output to boost both yields and income. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. James Mwaniki, a maize farmer from Embu, praised the expo for providing exposure to best farming practices and called on the government to facilitate more such educational events to ensure farmers are well-equipped to enhance productivity. The expo also addressed health concerns associated with agricultural chemicals. Dr. Matthew Mwangi from Kerugoya Fortis Medical and Cancer Centre reported an uptick in illnesses linked to agrochemical use and stressed the importance of such training events where farmers can learn safe handling and usage of chemicals to mitigate health risks.