The Canada-based International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in conjunction with the US-based Green without Borders (GwB) have this week been training the youth in agribusiness.
Prof. Paul Wachala, an agribusiness expert from the United States International University (USIU), took them through value chain development, financial management and record keeping.
“The two organizations have come up with a 36-month project to train the youth in eight counties across the country including Nairobi, Kakamega, Siaya, Nyandarua, Kisumu, Bungoma, Kiambu and Nakuru,” he said.
Prof. Wachala stated that they are targeting 1,200 young agribusiness entrepreneurs where Kakamega has 85 slots.
Andrew Egala, the CEO GwB Kenya, said the project not only intends to solve unemployment, food and nutritional security but to also boost returns on investment.
“In addition, we are teaching them how to avoid post-harvest losses as well as encouraging value addition to increase incomes,” he said.
The trainees, he said, are also assisted to network with various value chain actors such as marketing agents and linked to creditors.
“We want the entrepreneurs to integrate ICT into their businesses so that they exploit the online advertising, marketing as well as sourcing the raw materials,” he said.
by Sammy Mwibanda/Keziah Kibika
