Residents of Meru County and the larger Mount Kenya region have exhibited great enthusiasm in the quest to embrace climate smart agricultural practices, during the Meru ASK show which ended on Saturday.
The show, which was officially opened by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi at the Kinoru Agricultural Society of Kenya Showground, attracted five Upper Eastern Counties.
This year's theme was Promoting climate smart agriculture and Trade initiatives for sustainable economic growth.
Some of the exhibitors, including the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (Rerec) underscored the need for residents to embrace renewable sources of energy and more so biogas since the area is endowed with dairy farming.
"Any farmer with more than two cows can embrace biogas as a source of energy," said Rerec's manager in charge of advocacy Wangari Githii.
"As a parastatal, we offer advice and guidance for free to anyone willing to install biogas at their homes through our energy centre which is situated at Mitunguu", she added.
The authority has 16 energy centres across the country, centres which encourage Kenyans to embrace renewable energy.
During the show different exhibitors showcased various methods of farming.
Biogas is renewable energy unlike LPG and natural gas, which are fossil fuels, cooking with biogas saves about 6 tons of carbon emissions a year. Biogas has no smell, no smoke, no danger, and no cost.
Rerec is also offering advice to schools which are willing to embrace use of biogas and solar energy and is already implementing projects at Ndagene Boys High School and Muthambi Girls Secondary School in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties respectively.
Linturi praised farmers in the area for continually putting the county on the country's map by being among the biggest milk producers in the country, saying that the government will donate 30 milk coolers to dairy cooperatives in the area.
The CS further said he was working closely with the county government of Meru to support local farmers including getting new markets for miraa farmers.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza who accompanied the CS, called for continued training and support for farmers in order to improve yields and efficiency in the use of energy.
Over 200 exhibitors including learning Institutions, parastatals and private sector took part in the exhibition.
