In attendance were key delegations from Kilifi County, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries, and Blue Economy, Hon. Kenneth Onyango who spoke at the event emphasising the transformative impact of these technologies on youth engagement in agriculture. He highlighted the need to shift perceptions about farming, “Earning a degree is not the end goal; rather, it should shape one’s perspective toward opportunities in the world.” he said, pointing out the need for youths to identify new ways to get involved in agricultural practices after the Open Day.

Speaking on specific activities at the Lab, the Director of Fisheries and Blue Economy, who is also a coordinator of the PrAEctiCe project at DALF, explained how the initiative successfully recirculates wastewater for both agriculture and aquaculture in line with Food and Agriculture Organisation standards. She also shared the project’s efforts in creating a market for local farmers’ produce, with three companies established for employment opportunities. The project continues to integrate academia, research, and practice, collaborating with Maseno University and KIRDI to enhance value addition and market linkages.

Additionally, the Director of Agriculture and Irrigation urged the public to embrace circular economy principles and the efficient use of scarce resources to increase productivity and sustainability. Local farmers who were in attendance expressed their enthusiasm for the new technologies and called for quarterly field days to better understand and adopt these innovations. This will give room for continued engagement and training to ensure successful implementation and improved food production.

The PrAEctiCe project anticipates hosting Open Days at the other Living Labs in March and June to expand the reach and impact of sustainable agricultural innovations.