36

AgriJobs

Employment for rural youth

Promoting Agri-Startup Growth in Western Kenya: A Mentorship Approach

This paper presents Agri-Jobs 4 Youth’s strategic, structured, and targeted mentoring approach designed to empower agri-food startups, put into action in Kenya’s Western Region. Through a tripartite model blending business, industrial, and peer mentorship, young entrepreneurs gain essential skills in business management, technical expertise, and industry-specific strategies, addressing barriers like capital access, fragmented supply chains, and limited business acumen. This approach aims to support sustainable growth, boost resilience, and generate job opportunities. Read this factsheet to discover how mentorship can transform the future of agri-food entrepreneurship, how to identify the right mentors for the respective entrepreneurs and read Phena Kiboi’s success story.

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Kenya

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L'« indice des perspectives d'emploi » fournit une vision holistique de l'emploi des jeunes afin d'orienter les stratégies durables.
French
Countries : Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya
Discover the facts and figures of how the 360° AgriJobs Approach worked and how it can be further improved.
English
Countries : Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya
Leia este guia para conhecer o apoio dos centros de emprego móveis aos candidatos e os fatores de sucesso para sua implementação.
Portuguese
Countries : Mozambique
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36

AgriJobs

Employment for rural youth

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“I started a banana nursery with two friends to provide farms with virus-free, high-quality seedlings. Our vision is to substitute banana imports from Tanzania with local production.” 

– Patrick,  Operator of a seedling nursery  (Malawi) 

“Youth run away from agribusiness because they view it as something negative that can’t bring them money. I’m not saying it’s an easy journey, but as youth we have the energy to do something. Especially when we come together as a group.” 

– Curlstar, Founder of the Vihiga Youth Agripreneurs Network (Kenya)

“During the Covid-pandemic, I had the idea to produce Mango juice, as I knew that demand was there. Thanks to the right support, I have built up a professional production, employing three people during Mango season.”

– Adjaratou, Fruit juice entrepreneur (Burkina Faso) 

“Not long ago, I didn’t have any work of my own, I just did what everyone in our village does – help my parents in the fields. I never thought that one day I would start my own business. I would like to see more young people to have the courage to start their own business in the countryside.” 

– Fabelsa, Chicken egg producer (Mozambique) 

“Youth run away from agribusiness because they view it as something negative that can’t bring them money. I’m not saying it’s an easy journey, but as youth we have the energy to do something. Especially when we come together as a group.” 

– Curlstar, Founder of the Vihiga Youth Agripreneurs Network (Kenya)

“It’s high time for young people to migrate from just conceiving agriculture as a culture or tradition and to now start embracing agriculture as a business which can assist in creating sustainable employment.”

– Brian, Peanut butter producer (Malawi)

...inspiring

Read more about Brian’s peanut butter business journey and why he wants to inspire other youths.

Shamba Shape Up: Kenyan television show on modernising farming businesses

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Podcast: How can we strengthen rural areas and create sufficient job opportunities?

“It is difficult for me to find suitable employees. For many women of my age, family responsibilities always take precedence. Even my husband smiled at me at first and did not believe in me. Today, he supports me and takes care of the children when I cannot make it home on time.”

– Adjaratou, Fruit juice entrepreneur (Burkina Faso)

...gender-sensitive

Learn more about Adjaratou’s Journey in Burkina Faso

PDF: How To… Promote Gender-Transformative Approaches within Rural Youth Employment Programmes

Building Businesses, Changing Lives: Women Agripreneurs in Mozambique

Small Cup, Big Impact

“Thanks to a digital career platform, I learned how to write a better CV, compete in job interviews and finally found a job in a seedling company that was advertised on the platform.”

– Sharon, Sales and marketing employee (Kenya)

...digital

Get to know Sharon’s career path in Western Kenya.

PDF: How To… Promote Digitalisation Within Rural Youth Employment Programmes

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Biscate

“To be honest, I never thought about taking the leap into self-employment. Apart from that – I wouldn‘t have known how to do it. My very own success: I am no longer dependent on my parents. Even better, I can finally give something back to them.”

– Renny, Poultry farmer (Kenya)

...youth-centered

Learn more about Renny’s leap into self employment

PDF: How To… Identify Youth Specific Business Models (coming soon)

“Not long ago, I didn’t have any work of my own, I just did what everyone in our village does – help my parents in the fields. I never thought that one day I would start my own business. I would like to see more young people to have the courage to start their own business in the countryside.” 

– Fabelsa, Chicken egg producer (Mozambique) 

“During the Covid-pandemic, I had the idea to produce Mango juice, as I knew that demand was there. Thanks to the right support, I have built up a professional production, employing three people during Mango season.”

– Adjaratou, Fruit juice entrepreneur (Burkina Faso) 

“I started a banana nursery with two friends to provide farms with virus-free, high-quality seedlings. Our vision is to substitute banana imports from Tanzania with local production.” 

– Patrick,  Operator of a seedling nursery  (Malawi) 

“I make compost as a source of income and to preserve our environment. It makes me very proud to be the number one compost producer in my area. I also decided to produce a bio-repellent – not only for my own production but also for other producers.”

– Sansan, Producer of biological agricultural inputs (Burkina Faso)

...sustainable

Get to know more about Sansan’s ecological business on YouTube

PDF: How to… Promote Green Jobs in the Agri-Food Sector

PDF: How to… Leverage Rural Youth Employment through Agroecology

YouTube playlist: Agroecology