Kenya Agriculture sector remains fundamental in generating employment, economic boost and finding solution to food insecurity. The sector, however, is faced with twin threat; climatic change and emerging agribusiness environment which call for embracing technology in all its value chains.
With these challenges pressing for innovation and technology, over 40 passionate young agripreneurs drawn from all 47 counties have been equipped with Agroecology value chain skills and social media marketing techniques by the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) positioning them.
The three (3) days agriprenuer empowerment training of youth in Agroecology value chain skills and social media marketing took place at Baraka Agriculture College, Nakuru County, emphasized on Agroecology, business proposal development, financial management and general agripreneur skills to help them enhance their production on the modern market.
The training equipped youths with practical hands- on skills across key areas, including poultry production, African leafy vegetables (ALVs), biofertilizer production and sustainable animal feed innovations such as azolla based feeds.
Collins Otieno, an agripreneur from Kajiado County, said he produces organic peanut butter, which he uses locally available materials is an example of agroecology innovations aimed at offering alternative solution for both agriculture and health related customer.
He applauded PULEM Kenya for that impactful knowledge obtained which will bluster his marketing skills to enable him reach out to customer’s in need of organic products beside improve his organic business.
“In this era most people are embracing digital platforms, and our coming here has helped us explore how we can package our messages to attract customers,” Otieno stated, adding that when you use social media for products and businesses, it would be visible not only in the regions but in the entire country.
Otieno urged the youths to use social media constructively to create opportunities for themselves by maximizing on existing resources for their own benefit and economic growth to curb both unemployment and depression amongst themselves.
He urged the youth to take advantage of the skills and knowledge gained from such training to start sustainable ventures along the agricultural value chain, from production and processing to marketing and distribution.
“Agriculture offers the largest scale and quickest wins for youth employment. That’s why the government must offer enabling environment and financial support to the youths who are 65 per cent of its population. We knew that if we could support young people to become “agri-preneurs,” they would build businesses that not only feed Africa but employ millions of people,” he added.
He added that Agroecology offers a sustainable path forward, noting that food produced through ecological farming methods is free from harmful chemical residues and therefore safer for human consumption compared to produce grown through conventional inorganic practices.
Otieno emphasized that adopting Agroecology not only protects consumer health but also preserves soil fertility, biodiversity and the long-term productivity of farmland.
“Most of the diseases we experience today are linked to the excessive use of chemicals in crop production,” he said.
“When farmers depend heavily on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, traces of these substances often find their way into the food we eat. By embracing Agroecological practices, we can significantly reduce these health risks and ensure that what reaches our tables is safe, nutritious and wholesome,” he added.
Nyambura Simiyu, an established agripreneur from Spring Agric, noted that youths know much and have talents but only need someone to take them to the next level.
She called on Kenyan youths must embrace agripreneur as an alternative employment and empowerment tool with the sector offering huge potential for its development both local and international market.
“Investing in agripreneurs—entrepreneurs who apply business principles to agriculture—is critical for Africa to transform its agricultural sector from subsistence farming into a profitable, modern, and sustainable industry. It gives me hope to see youths taking agribusiness seriously, my job here was to impact their skills to be able to grow their agri- enterprises,” said Simiyu.
“With over 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land and a rapidly growing population, investing in youth-led, tech-driven agribusinesses is essential to address food insecurity, reduce high food imports, and create jobs for the continent’s youthful population,” she added.
Simiyu said huge gap in funding youth enterprises is a big setback in youth empowerment, she urged government and development partners review policies on financial solution to help youths get funding without much hustle.
“The future of African agriculture lies in African technology, tailored to our realities and driven by our innovators. Many youths are stranded because of funding if the government and other funders chip in they can do better than this,” she said, further, she asked the funders to make the funding cycles shorter.
The sentiment echoed by Moraa Ratemo, a programs Officer at Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) in charge of market development, reported that the organization is supporting Agroecology farming in 14 countries.
“Kenya is ready to lead its agricultural renaissance, with bold ideas, strategic partnerships, and unwavering commitment. Let us seize this opportunity to shape a future where Kenya agriculture is a global benchmark for innovation, equity, and impact,” said Moraa.
“Agroecology means farming without harming the environment, therefore, the organization we advocate for use of indigenous foods, and also in our thematic areas, we want youths to be in agribusiness,” she noted.
She argued that Agriculture is whole value chain which is complete in nature from production to consumption. That is why nutrition, health, and sustainability must be embedded in Africa’s food systems by adopting a holistic approach, addressing productivity, climate adaptation, and the human dimension of agriculture
“As consumers you should also create a demand, you need to consume the youths’ agri-business products so that they can keep on producing more, without markets the youths will not sustain their businesses,” Moraa said.
She further stated that they have set up organic markets in different parts of the country calling for the rapid adoption of innovations—ranging from precision mechanization to digital farm management—to create diverse avenues for profit and scalable impact, thus making African agriculture one of the most attractive frontiers for investors seeking both strong returns and measurable social benefit.
“We have set up many organic markets where you can source organic products for consumption. Kenya is rich in terms of resources, it requires proper utilization to enrich all, ” she added.
Ratemo counties to make best use of Expo-Processing Zones (EPZ) and Economic Stimulus Markets which have been constructed across all 47 counties to help young agriprenuers market their products.
She mentioned Murang’a, Busia, Makueni, Nakuru and Vihiga as some of the counties that have implemented the Agroecology policies.
Pamela Nasimiyu, Principal Baraka Agricultural College, said the institution remains committed to advancing sustainable agriculture as a key driver of rural development with a focus on empowering young people and farming communities.
She noted that by equipping them with practical, hands-on skills, the college is helping bridge the gap between organic farming practices and modern, sustainable approaches that can improve livelihoods.
“Investing in advanced, climate-smart agricultural techniques and technologies offers a high-impact opportunity to drive Africa’s food security and growth. Such investments not only help farmers adapt to a rapidly changing climate but also build resilience against recurring famines. These changes can trigger and create both social and economic returns for investors,” said Pamela.
“We provide skills in critical areas such as animal production, crop production, tree nursery management, poultry and piggery,” she said, adding that the training is tailored to ensure farmers and youth can diversify their income streams while adopting environmentally friendly farming methods.
Nasimiyu further emphasized that access to capital is fundamental to advancing agriculture in Africa and remains the key limiting factor.
By Absalom Namwalo
