Youth in Kenya have been urged to embrace agribusiness so as to tackle unemployment and boost food security.
According to Charles Macharia, Managing Director, Latia Agri-business Solutions, there are enormous untapped opportunities in agriculture which the unemployed youths could take advantage of to eke a living and improve their livelihoods.
Macharia challenged the youth to take up courses on agriculture and food production so as to gain skills which will enable them to start up their own agricultural enterprises and become self-employed.
Speaking during the launch of Eco-Latia sustainably grown produce, the MD revealed that Latia Agripreneurship Institute offers training to the youth on agribusiness by focusing on the use of biological systems in food production
“At Latia we train the youth on food production through the use of biological systems that minimize the use of pesticides to ensure that the produce is safe for consumption,” he said.
He noted that with the new farming techniques, the farmers’ yields and income have increased, furthermore, they produce safe food while also taking care of the environment, Macharia added apart from training, the institution also links the youth with markets for their produce.
He revealed that apart from the neighboring local markets, the Eco-Latia produce is also sold at various food market chains such as Zucchini Food Market. “We have partnered with various organizations to ensure that the youth have a market for their produce. You can find some of our produce which are sustainably grown at Zucchini Food market outlets,” he said.
Ann Macharia Head of Training at Latia reiterated that Latia facilitates agribusinesses’ access to mechanization, digitization and automation systems to increase productivity and efficiency as well as promote sustainable production.
The technologies promoted by us include ICT management systems, farm automation and mechanization, inputs, value addition systems. Hence, she noted that training of youth in agribusiness and establishing links to markets is key to development, economic growth and food security.
Macharia said the farmers who are mostly youth are trained on climate smart and sustainable farming practices, integrated pest management, record keeping, enterprise farming, financial credit access, market linkages and post-harvest management.
For Instance, Kelvin Wandera, a farmer from Kibiko revealed that the training he received at Latia has enabled him to embrace sustainable agricultural practices. He added that he is now able to produce safe products for consumption and has a ready market for capsicum, tomatoes and cucumbers which he grows in his farm.
Lastly, he encouraged the youth to embrace farming as there were a lot of opportunities in agribusiness instead of chasing after elusive white collar jobs.
By Rop Janet
