Vihiga: For many years, agriculture was regarded by many young people as a last resort, an occupation for those who could not secure formal employment. However, in Vihiga County, a new generation of young agripreneurs is changing that perception by embracing farming as a profitable business driven by innovation, technology, and value addition. From indigenous vegetable farming and poultry production to beekeeping and modern irrigation, hundreds of youths are proving that agriculture can create sustainable livelihoods while addressing food security and unemployment.
According to Kenya News Agency, Michael Okatso, an Agribusiness Officer in Vihiga County, stated that the county government is deliberately shifting agriculture from subsistence farming to commercial agribusiness. “Our focus is to commercialize farm enterprises and ensure farmers have access to reliable markets for their produce,” he said. Okatso noted that Vihiga has one of the highest population densities in the country, ranking third nationally, with nearly 80 percent of the workforce depending on agriculture as their main economic activity. “This makes agribusiness an essential driver of the county’s economy,” he said.
Okatso highlighted that in order to strengthen farmers’ bargaining power, the department encourages them to organize themselves into groups and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), where they aggregate their produce, negotiate better prices, and access larger markets. He said the department is also promoting youth leadership within these organizations while encouraging young people involved in transport and logistics to participate in agricultural value chains through produce transportation and distribution.
“The county currently prioritizes five climate-smart value chains: African leafy vegetables, avocado, banana, poultry, and dairy farming. Plans are also underway to expand into mushroom production and aquaculture,” Okatso stated. To support farmers, Okatso said the county has established farmer service centres in every ward where farmers receive training on modern agricultural technologies and best management practices through partners such as the Cereal Growers Association, Agri Mboga, and Rural Outreach Africa, where young people aged between 18 and 35 years are being trained as extension service providers to support fellow farmers.
“Technology has become a key tool in helping farmers adapt to climate change. Farmers are now receiving climate information through digital platforms supported by Geographic Information Systems (GIS), enabling them to make informed farming decisions,” he stated. He said the county has also invested in irrigation infrastructure through the Central Bunyore Irrigation Scheme and the Banja Irrigation Scheme to cushion farmers against erratic rainfall.
Additionally, he explained that Vihiga has 17 cooperatives and 25 Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) serving farmers, promoting savings, improving access to affordable credit, and strengthening agricultural production. “To further support young agripreneurs, the county is preparing to hand over a boardroom to the Vihiga Young Agripreneurs Network (VIYAN), providing the organization with a permanent space for meetings, training, and business coordination,” said Okatso.
He further stated that awareness creation is conducted through digital platforms that appeal to young people, alongside farmer field days, exhibitions, and practical demonstrations at Mwibona Farmer Service Centre, where farmers are trained, supplied with quality seeds, and assisted in marketing their produce. Okatso finalized by encouraging young people to embrace agriculture, saying it presents countless opportunities for employment and wealth creation. “Nobody should shy away from agriculture. Agribusiness offers enormous opportunities for young people who are willing to innovate and work hard,” he said.
Among those embracing this vision is the Vihiga Young Agripreneurs Network (VIYAN), a youth-led organization established in 2021 by young people determined to build successful agribusiness enterprises. According to the network’s Vice Chairman, Wellington Aguma, who spoke to KNA at Sosa, VIYAN began by leasing a small piece of land to grow African leafy vegetables, while having a dream in exploring apiculture, aquaculture, poultry, and passion fruit farming. Today, the network has grown into an organization of approximately 450 youth members focusing on horticulture, chilli farming, onions, indigenous vegetables, and irrigated crop production.
Aguma said during the interview that members have embraced modern technologies including drip irrigation, button drip systems, and vertical farming to cope with unpredictable weather brought about by climate change. Aguma said they advertise their produce through local markets and members from neighbouring towns and also through online platforms stating that the consumers are mainly locals making them their own brand. “We have become a brand of our own by marketing our products online,” he said.
Aguma said the group now hopes to diversify further by venturing into fisheries and medicinal herb production. Despite challenges such as climate change, crop diseases, and inadequate irrigation equipment, the network continues to expand with support from Dueutsche Gesselschaft Fr Internationale Zusammernarbeit (GIZ), the Vihiga County Government, and the county departments of Agriculture and Cooperatives, stated Aguma.
