Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa has unveiled a bold initiative to rejuvenate agricultural livelihoods by deploying an agripreneur model—a cadre of trained youth extension agents aimed at transforming smallholder farming into a sustainable, market-oriented enterprise.
Under this model, Barasa’s administration plans to recruit and mobilize agripreneurs across the county—following national trends seen in counties like Vihiga and Makueni where similar programs have been rolled out as part of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) (Farmers Trend, shahiditv.co.ke, Standard Arena). These agripreneurs will serve as grassroots advisors, helping farmers with profiling, GPS mapping of farms, advisory services, and linking producers to markets—contributing to improved productivity and food security.
At the launch, Barasa emphasized that the initiative is more than a channel for agricultural support—it is an avenue for youth employment, economic inclusion, and value chain expansion. Drawing from existing models, agripreneurs are expected to operate as small enterprises providing extension services, input access, and digital support for a fee or stipend.
This scheme aligns with broader national efforts where the government, through its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), has recruited thousands of agripreneurs across many counties to elevate Kenya’s food production and rural livelihoods.
Aspirations and Local Impact
Governor Barasa vowed that Kakamega’s agripreneur team would help farmers adopt climate-smart practices and enhance commercialization of key crops like maize, beans, and sugarcane. He stressed that improved access to quality seeds, fertilizers, and market linkages would translate into higher yields and earnings for small farmers—especially women and youth.
Why It Matters
With Kenya’s food import bill exceeding Sh500 billion annually, the agripreneur initiative offers a scalable solution to revitalize the ward-level agricultural economy. By empowering youth and improving service access, it strengthens local capacity and creates employment pathways—while improving productivity and resilience among smallholder communities.
If successful, Kakamega’s rollout can set a blueprint for devolution-era agriculture—linking public, private and county efforts to transform farming into a profitable enterprise and secure food production across Western Kenya.
Image Credits: The Star
