1. Introduction
CESAAM facilitated a farmers' guided tour to Pwani University and Malindi Fruit Processor from February 20th to 25th, 2025. The initiative aimed to enhance farmers' knowledge in key agricultural areas, including value addition, animal health, artificial intelligence in agriculture, and financial management. The program was designed to equip farmers with practical skills and exposure to modern agricultural practices, contributing to increased productivity and sustainability.
2. Objectives
- To provide hands-on training on value addition of fruits.
- To enhance farmers' understanding of animal health management.
- To introduce AI-powered tools for disease detection and prediction in agriculture.
- To strengthen farmers' capacity in business planning and financial management.
3. Training Sessions and Key Learnings
The training workshop at Pwani University was facilitated by experts in various fields, focusing on the following key areas:
3.1 Value Addition of Fruits
Facilitator: Prof. Mary Omwamba
- Farmers were trained on post-harvest handling techniques to reduce losses.
- Techniques for processing and packaging fruits to increase shelf life.
- Production of fruit-based products such as juices and dried fruits.
- Compliance with food safety standards and market requirements.
3.2 Animal Health
Facilitator: Dr. Lawrence Amadi
- Proper livestock disease management and prevention strategies.
- Vaccination schedules and common livestock diseases in Kenya.
- Improved animal husbandry practices to enhance productivity.
- Introduction to modern veterinary technologies and their applications.
3.3 AI in Agriculture Using AI-Powered Disease Detection and Prediction App
Facilitator: Paul Kahenya
- Overview of artificial intelligence applications in agriculture.
- Demonstration of an AI-powered app for early disease detection and yield prediction.
- Practical sessions on integrating AI tools with farm management.
- Benefits of AI in improving decision-making and reducing crop losses.
3.4 Business Plan and Financial Management
Facilitator: Ms. Monica Adoyo
- Development of viable business models for agribusinesses.
- Financial planning, budgeting, and record-keeping.
- Access to credit and investment opportunities for smallholder farmers.
- Risk management strategies for sustainable agribusiness operations.
4. Visit the Malindi Fruit Processor
The farmers toured Malindi Fruit Processor to gain insights into large-scale fruit processing and value addition. Key observations included:
- Processing techniques for various tropical fruits.
- Quality control measures and certification processes.
- Market linkages and export opportunities for processed products.
- Waste management and by-product utilization in fruit processing.
5. Outcomes and Recommendations
- Farmers expressed a keen interest in adopting value addition techniques to improve profitability.
- Increased awareness of AI applications in early disease detection and precision farming.
- Strengthened capacity in business planning and financial literacy.
- Recommendations for further training sessions and mentorship programs to support implementation.
6. Conclusion
The CESAAM-supported farmers' guided tour was highly impactful, equipping participants with critical skills and knowledge for agricultural transformation. Continuous engagement and follow-up sessions are recommended to ensure effective adoption and application of the acquired knowledge.
