Nairobi: Over 3000 youths in Homa Bay County have benefitted from an economic empowerment program through an organization dubbed Farm Africa. The organization supports youths engaged in small-scale farming and small businesses in sustainable ways to enhance their incomes.
According to Kenya News Agency, Farm Africa is implementing its activities through the Youth In Sustainable Aquaculture (YISA) programme. The program coordinator, Stephen Muguna, stated that they were targeting to create jobs for at least 150,000 youth in six counties in the Nyanza region and Kakamega.
One of the beneficiaries, John Oseko, is undertaking catfish fingerlings production. He mentioned that the organization provided him with a grant of Sh800,000 for a hatchery. Oseko, who joined the program in 2023, said he used to have a fish pond before benefiting from the hatchery. "I produce 35,000 fingerlings per week and sell them to fish farmers in the county. The training we've undergone has helped many of us to increase productivity in aquaculture," Oseko stated.
Speaking during a field day dubbed the linkage forum at Muga Fish Farm in Kendu Bay town, Oseko urged youths to join the programme for their economic empowerment. He challenged youths to embrace farming and aquaculture to empower themselves economically. "The easiest way of acquiring a job is through innovation and agriculture. I urge youths to embark on aquaculture and enjoy the benefits," he said.
Muguna explained that their sole agenda is to train youths on fish farming, soya, and black soldier fly production. He noted that the youths grow soya beans and the black soldier fly as fish feed, adding that they provide the youth with certified seeds for growing soya beans. According to him, at least 1300 youths are registered to produce soya beans in Homa Bay. "Many youths have been given startup capital to undertake the project. They have realized good returns since they joined the programme," Muguna added.
On his part, an officer with Linkage Forum, Lucas Abilah, said they brought together youths doing various activities under the project to share ideas. Some youths have been trained to provide extension services on the project. They are called local service providers. The five-year programme is expected to end in 2028. "Coming together has enabled these youths to access information from colleagues involved in different activities in the aquaculture value chain. They have been trained on financial management and gender inclusivity," Abilah said.