A surge of young people in Kenya have become interested in starting careers in farming but they face tremendous obstacles on their paths to operating viable farm businesses. They have seen the success stories, visited modern farms but still they cannot duplicate what is done out there on their farms. Graduate Farmer in partnership with Mercy Corps Kenya have come together through its YES! Program to make farming possible to farmers in Kenya.
Dennis Kirwa Animal Health Specialist at Wilsam Dairies training theory about feed management
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world.
Mercy Corps is implementing a Pan-African Youth Empowerment Initiative, the Youth Empowered for Success (YES!) Program, a bold new initiative to create sustainable, safe, equitable, and productive jobs for youth (ages 18-35) across Africa. The YES Program will operate in five countries across Africa: Kenya, Tunisia, Uganda, and Nigeria reaching 15,000 youth.
“We have launched an intensive one day training session in both dairy and horticulture that will cover the areas that most young farmers face in Kenya. This training program is designed to equip the youth between 18-35 years old with practical farming skills that will enable them to practice profitable farming.” Says Joseph Boit, the team leader of the initiative.
He further states that farmers in Kenya are unable to realize full potential from their businesses due to lack of training and information.
The training program is currently targeting farmers in Uasin Gishu County and Nandi County and will slowly expand to other parts of the country.
The training modules offered are;
Animal and crop management – This module provides the youth with necessary skills on how to raise livestock and grow various crops.
Youth group management – Teaching the youth on how to manage their youth groups effectively over time.
ICT in farming- How the youth can apply new technology that will help them increase productivity in farming.
Business Management and Marketing – How the youth can be able to their agribusiness ventures and identify market opportunities. How to wisely save and use their money in various farm activities and personal emergencies.
Farmers after training
After the training the young farmers benefit from on mentorship, ebook farming manuals, financial linkages, networking with professional dairy and horticulture farmers
There will be another training session for Horticulture farmers between 18-35 years for members in and Nandi County. If you are a member of one of these counties apply by sending your Full Name, age, county and Mobile Number to admissions@graduatefarmer.co.ke
