This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture announced plans to launch programmes supporting youth investments in agribusiness.
The programmes aim to provide youth with access to markets, affordable financial services, and innovative information and knowledge sharing platforms.
Speaking during the East African Youth Congress Trust Webinar, the Ministry's Chief Administrative Secretary, Anne Nyaga, emphasized the need for strong collaborations and partnerships to support the youth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Ministry and other relevant bodies are working together to create an enabling environment for the youth to explore business opportunities along agricultural value chains," she said.
The Ministry has already started a virtual training programme to equip youth with appropriate agribusiness skills in partnership with County Governments and development partners.
The government has also announced a stimulus package worth Sh53.7 billion to support businesses affected by the pandemic, including fast-tracking payments of pending bills and tax refunds, and providing temporary employment programs for young people.
According to the World Bank, despite the government's efforts, millions of Kenyans are at risk of facing starvation due to the impact of COVID-19 and locust invasion on food security.
