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China-hosted forum opens in Kenya to promote agriculture cooperation

Xinhua, September 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

A China hosted forum on agrochemical development and marketing kicked off Tuesday in Kenya's Nakuru County to enhance agriculture cooperation and technology innovation.

Liu Xianfa, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, said during the opening of the China International Agrochemicals and Crop Protection Exhibition(CAC) Africa Summit, that China is willing to share its technological advancements and experiences in agricultural development to promote food production in both countries.

"China has accumulated great experience in agriculture development, including agrochemicals and crop production, and through continued cooperation, we can promote food security for the citizens of Kenya and China," said Liu.

He told the participants from both China and Kenya to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen collaborations in agricultural technologies and innovations.

Lenah Wati, acting Vice Chancellor of Egerton University which is co-hosting the forum, said exchanging knowledge and information on proper use of agrochemicals among small and large scale farmers is critical as it bolsters initiatives spearheaded to outdo food insecurity in Kenya.

She thanked the Chinese government and its people for the unyielding support in promoting Kenya's agricultural development.

The two-day forum also provided over 20 agrochemical companies from China to present their products to key handlers of the agricultural chemicals in Kenya.

David Machuki, a sales and product development manager from a Nakuru-based agrochemicals company, said the exhibition offered him a platform to source for the Chinese pesticides applicable in Kenya.

"This exhibition gives me a chance to expand our company's portfolio since we will be able to get more products from China which are suitable for farmers use in Kenya," said Machuki, adding that low price, high quality and reliable safety have made Chinese agrochemical products more competitive in Kenya.

The two countries continue to enjoy cordial bilateral relations, with the bilateral trade standing at over five billion U.S. dollars last year, up 53 percent from the previous year.

Currently, there are 301 registered pesticides from China in circulation in Kenya. Endit