Agribusiness acumen makes youths reap big

Some members of Inuka Njoro Youth Group. The group comprises of four men and 11 women, aged between 21-33 years who are taking different agriculture-related courses at Egerton University. PHOTO | AYUB MUIYURO | NMG

What you need to know:

  • The group comprises of four men and 11 women, aged between 21-33 years.
  • The group started in 2013 as a merry-go-round. The initial 15 members used to contribute Sh500 monthly.
  • Their first bid to help solve the farmers’ challenges was through sourcing for them fertiliser from the NCPB early this year.
  • To sustain the group, they charged farmers Sh200 extra for each bag that they sourced for Sh1,500. Thus, they made Sh286,000, some of which went to expenses such as renting a warehouse.

As the world marked Food Day at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) grounds in Njoro two weeks ago, a group of youth stood out for their agribusinesses.

They were selling fresh juice and tree seedlings. The members of Inuka Njoro Youth Group, which comprises mainly of students who are taking different agriculture-related courses at Egerton University, were aggressive in selling their products.

The group comprises of four men and 11 women, aged between 21-33 years.

“We are business people and students, we also double up as small-scale farmers or traders in agricultural produce, says Lenah Mwangi, the group’s chair.

They also source for farmers fertiliser from National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) at a small fee, showing their agribusiness acumen.

The group started in 2013 as a merry-go-round. The initial 15 members used to contribute Sh500 monthly.

“This money came in handy for us students as we used it for upkeep, while the small-scale traders used it to boost their businesses,” says Lenah, who is currently undertaking a masters degree in Agribusiness Studies.

Having grown up in Njoro around Egerton University, she adds, she had all through witnessed the challenges of farmers and local business people. It was in a bid to try get solutions that she decided to spearhead the formation of the Inuka Njoro Youth Group.

“I had also witnessed a situation where by farmers could not benefit from development projects because they were not working in groups,” says Lenah, noting the group was registered in January

AGGREGATE THEIR PRODUCE

Their first bid to help solve the farmers’ challenges was through sourcing for them fertiliser from the NCPB early this year.

To qualify to bring the fertiliser, the youths had first to get authorisation from the area chief, local agriculture office and affiliate itself to a community organisation, dubbed Njoro Farmers CBO.

However, they did not have money in bank account, and had to convince farmers to deposit money in their bank account first as they waited for fertiliser.

This way, the group would meet one of NCPB’s requirements of having money it is their bank account.

“We mobilised about 300 farmers and brought in bulk a total of 1,433 bags which we distributed according to individual farmer’s orders,” says Lenah, adding that they are hoping to double the number of farmers and quantity of fertiliser supply next year.

To sustain the group, they charged farmers Sh200 extra for each bag that they sourced for Sh1,500. Thus, they made Sh286,000, some of which went to expenses such as renting a warehouse.

Currently, they are mainly dealing with seedlings, which they sell at Sh150 for avocado.

Lenah says the group plans to aggregate their produce and also from other willing farmers and start manufacturing animal feeds.

Lillian Jelimo, a horticulture expert at Egerton University says, young people should work in groups to empower themselves and their local communities.

“The younger generation is more informed through education therefore, they should earn from it as they serve others.”