The Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) was founded in December 1901 under the name East African Agricultural and Horticultural Society (EAA & HS). The central objective of the new Society was described as the promotion of agricultural development based on European Settlement.
The Agricultural Society of Kenya (A.S.K) was founded in December 1901 under the name East African Agricultural and Horticultural Society (EAA & HS). The central objective was to promote agricultural development based on European Settlement. This was the brainchild of John Ainsworth, who was the Sub-Commissioner for Ukambani Province. He believed that the organisation was to be an invaluable institution in the struggle to establish and maintain an agricultural export commodity economy. The shows were to be a very important shop window for prospective buyers both local and International. Nairobi became the Society’s Headquarters with the first show held at the Jeevanjee gardens and market in 1902.
Mandate of the Agricultural Society of Kenya
- To promote excellence in agriculture
- To provide forums for exchange of agricultural and agribusiness information
- To embrace innovation and technology transfer
- To participate in developing agricultural trade policies and markets
The Agricultural Society of Kenya – Objectives
- To create an ASK brand.
- To promote research and extension services in Agriculture, Trade and allied sectors.
- To foster working relations with the county governments.
- To contribute in the formulation and implementation of agricultural and trade policies.
- To modernize and publish the Kenya stud book, and enhance the functions of the dairy recording services of Kenya (DRSK).
- To enhance participation in the agricultural sector by the Kenya youth.
- To organize conferences, workshops and seminars on topical subjects affecting agriculture.
- To enhance facility utilization by end of the strategic plan.
- To design and implement a governance structure that is more responsive to the needs of ASK.
- To hold superior shows in the livestock, agricultural and trade sectors.
- To collect data relating to the objects of the Society and publish the same.
- To organize ploughing contests and conduct tests of Agricultural machinery in order to demonstrate the most efficient and suitable types.
The Agricultural Society of Kenya – Goals
- To create an effective marketing function and brand ASK by 2015
- To create a college of agriculture by end of 2016.
- To realign our structure with the devolved governance system by end of 2016.
- To assign the technical team to participate in the formulation and implementation of agricultural and trade policies by 2015.
- To collect milk and pedigree data and digitize the Kenya stud book by 2016.
- To partner with the Government to increase the role of youth in agriculture by 2015.
- To exploit the facilities set up by the Agriculture College to implement workshops and conferences on topical subjects affecting agriculture by 2016.
- To work with the strategic partners to develop a work plan of enhancing facility utilization by end of 2015.
- To establish a new organizational structure by 2015.
- To establish an ASK radio and TV stations by 2018.
- To organize machinery suppliers to hold at least four machinery shows by 2017.
- To drive the KPO activity towards zero tillage by 2017.
- To raise the level of activity in each of the shows to at least four by the end of 2016.
- To establish an ASK investment subsidiary by 2016.
The Agricultural Society of Kenya
The Agricultural Society of Kenya – Product Line
Currently, the Society’s primary product is the series of annual exhibitions and trade fairs held throughout the country, namely; Nairobi International Trade Fair, Mombasa International Show, Nakuru National Show, Eldoret National Show, Kisumu Regional Show, Nyeri National Show, Kitale National Show, Meru National Show, Nanyuki Branch Show, Embu Branch Show, Machakos Branch Show, Kisii Branch Show, Kakamega Branch Show, Kabarnet Branch Show, Garissa Branch show and Migori Satellite Show
The Agricultural Society of Kenya – Subsidiary Organisations
Young Farmers clubs of Kenya (YFCK)
The Society has increased the involvement of youth in agriculture.
Kenya Ploughing Organization (KPO)
Through KPO, the Society is able to demonstrate to farmers good seed-bed preparation as well as the appropriate agricultural machinery.
Kenya Farmers Journal
The Society uses the Journal as a channel of communication with her target market
Kenya Livestock Breeders Organisation (KLBO)
The KLBO is charged with two major functions namely milk recording and all matters pertaining to purebred stock.
The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC)
RASC fosters linkages with our external partners and stakeholders
Agricultural Society of Kenya Show Grounds
Nairobi Show Ground
Contacts
Nairobi Branch
2641067/8/ 0724643701
Box No. 21340 – 00505
info@nitf.ask.co.ke
Nakuru Show Ground
Contacts
Nakuru Branch
0721972639
Box No. 478-20100
nakuru@ask.co.ke
Eldoret Show Ground
Contacts
Eldoret Branch
020-8022878 / 0714759344
Box No. 61-30100
eldoret@ask.co.ke
Kitale Show Ground
Contacts
Kitale Branch
0722383373
Box No. 732-0032100
kitale@ask.co.ke
Nanyuki Show Ground
Contacts
Nanyuki Branch
0722843443
Box No. 98
Nanyuki@ask.co.ke
Kisumu Show Ground
Contacts
Kisumu Branch
020 2334975 / 0722 339457 / 0726171387
Box No. 810-40100
kisumu@ask.co.ke
Mombasa Show Ground
Contacts
Mombasa Branch
041 4471818/49 / 041 4473558/
Box No. 82828-80100
mombasa@ask.co.ke
Kakamega Show Ground
Contacts
Kakamega Branch
0722339457
Box No. 602
kakamega@ask.co.ke
Nyeri Show Ground
Contacts
Nyeri Branch
020 2330039/0722348916
Box No. 276-10100
nyeri@ask.co.ke
Embu Show Ground
Contacts
Embu Branch
0722679921/00202032283
Box No. 1433-
embu@ask.co.ke
Meru Show Ground
Contacts
Meru Branch
0722843443
Box No. 1227-06200
meru@ask.co.ke
Kisii Show Ground
Contacts
Kisii Branch
020-20883143 / 0724234669
Box No. 1327-40200
kisii@ask.co.ke
Machakos Show Ground
Contacts
Machakos Branch
0722812506
Box No. 345-90100
Machakos@ask.co.ke
Garissa Show Ground
Contacts
Garissa Branch
462102393 / 0462103215 / 0722983733
Box No. 306-3470100
garissa@ask.co.ke
Kabarnet Show Ground
Contacts
Kabarnet Branch
0714759344
Box No. 229
kabarnet@ask.co.ke