Lodwar, May 31, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Over 40 Turkana youth have completed a four-day training aimed at enhancing their ability to seize opportunities in the “Vijana-in-kilimobizz” program.
The initiative, supported by the World Food Program (WFP), focused on empowering young people to form cooperatives, Farmer Service Centres (FSC), and share knowledge to advance agribusiness ventures.
The program targets to enhance inclusion of youth, women, and refugees in both agriculture and food business value chains.
Speaking at the event, Director of Agriculture, Aaron Nanok emphasised the critical role of youth and women in agribusiness to boost food security in Turkana.
“The inclusion of young people and women in agribusiness is vital for enhancing food security in our county,” Director Nanok stated.
The “Vijana-in-kilimobizz” initiative has invested up to Ksh. 187 million to foster the adoption of agricultural value chains among the youth.
Participants were encouraged to embrace the cooperative model to improve their access to credit and achieve economic empowerment.
The Deputy Director for Trade, Wilson Ejie, introduced the trainees to essential entrepreneurship skills in agriculture and pathways for accessing local and international markets.
“Agricultural trade has the potential to employ over 50 percent of youth,” Ejie noted. He reaffirmed the county’s commitment to boost continuous education and improved access to cooperative funds.
His counterpart, Deputy Director of Youth Affairs, Linus Ekidor Lomur, highlighted collaborative efforts by the county, national government, and partners in establishing ICT hubs. He urged the youth to leverage on the existing ICT infrastructure to transform their participation in agribusiness.
The youth also benefited from supplies, including assorted farm equipment and protective gears, for use in their respective farms.
Sarah Ayodi, who is the head of Lodwar WFP Field Office, Eli Karani (County Agri Business Officer), and Peter Mwaniki of WFP were present.
