"Building Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture”

This track addresses regenerative agriculture, climate-smart practices, agroecology and circular economy approaches in food systems. It will open with a startup/MSME pitch from a local agribusiness exemplifying sustainability (e.g. a startup producing organic fertilizer or solar irrigation kits).

The proposed session format will be a moderated roundtable dialogue: farmers, extension officers, and researchers discuss real cases of adapting to climate change (for instance, success stories of drought-resistant crops or waste-to-compost initiatives). Audience members will participate through Q&A and live polling on solutions. The thematic committee (including agricultural experts from the County, NGOs and climate networks) ensures the discussion yields practical recommendations.

Expected outcome: a list of actionable strategies for farmers and counties to enhance resilience (contributing to CAADP goals on sustainability).

“Leveraging Agri-Tech and Digital Solutions”

This track showcases cutting-edge innovations (ICT, mechanization, biotech etc) that can transform agriculture. It begins with a brief demo and/or pitch by one of the Hackathon winning teams and a local agri-tech startup.

Instead of a traditional panel, the session will use a “tech expo + expert critique” format: several innovators will give 5-minute lightning demos of their solutions (e.g. a mobile app for market prices, a sensor for soil health, a drone mapping service). After each demo, a panel of experts (agronomist, tech investor, farmer) will provide feedback and discuss its relevance. This dynamic format engages the audience and gives innovators immediate insights. The session also includes an interactive segment where attendees can rotate through small demo stations (“innovation bazaar”) to try out technologies firsthand. The GDG Kisii and tech partners on the committee will manage this track, ensuring alignment with global tech trends.

Outcome: increased awareness and adoption of agri-tech tools and potential tech-business linkages formed.

“Connecting Producers to Markets Locally & Under AfCFTA”

Focused on market access, value chains and trade, this track explores how farmers and MSMEs can competitively reach domestic and export markets. It opens with a pitch by a successful agribusiness that has broken into a new market (for example, a Gusii-based banana value added products producer now supplying regionally).

The session format is an interactive panel in the style of a “fishbowl discussion”. Key stakeholders including a trader/exporter, a cooperative leader, a government trade officer and a logistics provider start the discussion in the center; debating issues like quality standards, aggregation, local logistics challenges and the impact of AfCFTA. There are empty chairs in the fishbowl which audience members can join to pose questions or share experiences (rotating in and out). This encourages fluid dialogue between panelists and attendees. Topics will include how to capitalize on the projected 574% increase in intra-African agri-trade, removing non-tariff barriers, using e-commerce, etc. The committee (with representatives from trade networks and chambers of commerce) will ensure practical insights (e.g. info on trade finance or contracts) are provided.

Outcome: participants gain knowledge of specific market opportunities and tools (like commodity exchanges or trade fairs), and some may initiate B2B contacts during networking.

“Financing Innovation & Growth”

This track is all about money and resources focusing on how to mobilize public and private capital into agrifood initiatives. The session starts with a startup pitch from a local venture that recently secured funding, to set the stage with a real example.

The session will take an engaging format with a “Shark Tank” styled pitch forum: a few pre-selected startups/MSMEs will pitch their businesses (5-minute pitches) live to a panel of “sharks”; which will be comprised of an impact investor, a bank agribusiness officer, an angel investor and representative from a government fund, a DFI and a donor organization. Instead of actual deals on the spot, the sharks will give constructive feedback and indicate what it would take for the ventures to gain investment. This format demystifies the investment process for the audience.

Additionally, the session will feature a mini-workshop on “investment readiness” where participants break into small groups with mentors to discuss how to prepare bankable proposals, manage risks (one example is de-risking agriculture investment which is key to make farming more bankable), and tap into available financing (e.g. credit guarantees, crowdfunding & government grants). The committee for this track includes incubators, finance experts and possibly representatives of local and regional agriculture financing programs to align with investor perspectives.

Outcome: entrepreneurs will walk away with improved understanding of financing options and some will establish contacts with financiers. The aim is to spur an increase in agrifood lending or investment deals in subsequent months.

“Celebrating Local Gastronomy for Nutrition and Tourism”

This unique track runs as a two-day outdoor event alongside the formal Summit, turning the spotlight on Gusii’s rich culinary heritage.

Ran in the form of a Food Festival, local chefs, grassroots women’s groups and hospitality students will prepare dishes using indigenous and locally produced ingredients (traditional vegetables, matoke bananas, sorghum, etc.). The competition fosters innovation in recipes and presentation to show how traditional foods can be made more appealing, healthy and marketable. The cooking booths will be set up in a festival-like atmosphere on the university grounds (accessible to both Summit delegates during breaks and the general public).
Ongoing voting will happen: Summit attendees and public visitors will sample and vote for their favorite dishes via a mobile app or token system; while a panel of judges (including a renowned chef and a nutritionist) evaluates entries on criteria like taste, creativity and nutritional value. The track runs across Wednesday and Thursday, with contestants preparing different menus each day.

Outcome: enhanced appreciation of local foods, potential business ideas around food products and community engagement in the innovation week. It also ties into agritourism, hence positioning Kisii as a destination for culture and cuisine tourism.