By Duncan Amon
Kisumu County is betting big on its youth, launching a game-changing agricultural training centre that will equip them with skills in climate-smart agriculture and agribusiness. The Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre is an KES 87 million investment in the future of Kisumu’s agricultural sector.
Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o emphasized the centre’s focus on youth empowerment, saying, “Our youth are the future of agriculture in Kisumu, and we must empower them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. We’re not just training farmers, we’re creating agripreneurs.”
The centre will offer training programs tailored to the needs of young entrepreneurs, including climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness management, digital farming techniques, value addition and marketing, and access to finance and markets. The curriculum is designed in collaboration with industry experts and will be regularly updated to reflect emerging trends and technologies.
Trainees will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including demonstration farms, labs, and equipment. They’ll also benefit from mentorship and internship opportunities with leading agribusinesses and research institutions.
The centre’s establishment is expected to create new opportunities for Kisumu’s youth, enabling them to turn agriculture into a profitable venture. “We want to make agriculture cool again, and this centre is a big step in that direction,” Nyong’o said.
The county government plans to partner with private sector companies, research institutions, and development partners to provide funding, resources, and support to the centre’s trainees. “We’re committed to creating an ecosystem that supports our youth to succeed in agriculture,” Nyong’o added.
The Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre is expected to train over 1,000 youth in its first year, with plans to expand to more wards and communities across Kisumu County.
