By John Toris
Farmers, innovators, business leaders, and policymakers streamed through the doors of the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi this morning in anticipation of the International Conference on Contract Farming.
Some came in tailored suits, others in dusted farm boots, but all carried a shared sense of purpose: to find new, fairer ways of doing business in agriculture.
For many of the smallholder farmers in attendance, this was their first time standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the CEOs and investors who often feel worlds away. Yet here, in these packed conference halls, those barriers seemed to fade.
It felt like high stakes, as with climate change threatening harvests and market prices swinging wildly; the speakers didn’t pull punches on how serious this moment was.
They spoke of contract farming not as some new buzzword, but as a lifeline-something that could stabilize incomes, give farmers predictability, and strengthen food supply chains from village to supermarket shelf.
Setting the tone of the day, highly respected agricultural economist Dr. Aisha Mwendwa took to the podium in an even-tempered but resolute voice.
“We are here to move beyond theory and into the realm of actionable, impactful partnerships,” she said. “Contract farming, when done right, is not just a transaction; it’s a pact for shared prosperity.”
Her message resonated. Heads nodded. Farmers leaned forward in their seats. For many, her words reflected the very challenges they live with every planting season.
It was also the time for technology to take center stage. In the exhibition area, agri-tech startups demonstrated apps that could help a farmer monitor crop health on a simple smartphone or get paid instantly via mobile money.
Delegates circled the booths, debating possibilities, asking hard questions. And investors lingered, spotting new opportunities in a sector often overlooked.
Across the hall, panel discussions highlighted the real-life stories: farmer cooperatives that secured better contracts with buyers; families whose incomes had stabilized; and communities where young people were returning to farming because it finally felt viable.
“The energy in the room is palpable,” James Omondi from the Cereals Growers Association said with a smile, while farmers were animatedly exchanging ideas with company executives. “You can see the walls breaking down. Farmers are finally telling buyers directly what they need – and buyers are listening.”
Meanwhile, the Deal Room felt like the beating heart of the conference. Deals were being pitched, refined, and sketched on notepads at small tables dotted around the space.
Early whispers were that several partnerships and investment agreements were already on their way-just the kind of impact ICCF organizers had hoped for. And then there was already a hint of hope and energy in the air as day one came to an end.
Delegates departed the venue, chatting gladly, exchanging new business cards, or already planning follow-up meetings. ICCF 2025 was turning out to be more than just another conference-it was fast becoming a catalyst for real change.
If these conversations and the resultant connections keep growing, the ripples will fundamentally change the way farming works across Africa and well beyond: giving more power to farmers, strengthening food systems, and building bridges from isolated fields to world markets. ICCF is committed to this mission.
In bringing together all those-from small-scale farmers to global investors-who shape the agricultural world, this conference will help build a more secure and sustainable future for those who feed the world.
