A partnership between the County Government, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through Opportunities for Youth in Africa (OYA), Equity Group Foundation, Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) and GIZ – Agri Jobs for the Youth yesterday ended a five – day training of about 100 Youth Agripreneurs on Financial Inclusion and Digital Literacy.
The initiative was necessitated by the long-term exclusion of Youth to Financial Services due to several undermining factors such as legal restrictions, high transaction costs and negative stereotypes about the Youth.
OYA Programme dubbed “Accelerating Job creation and Entrepreneurship in Agriculture & Agribusiness” therefore in response to this dedicated call aims to accomplish youth employment in Agriculture through Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Entrepreneurship n ending hunger and poverty in the County.
Speaking during the official opening of the Workshop at Distinction Gardens, Mr. Tito Arunga – Sub programme Lead (Inclusive Value Chains) urged the Youth to make use of the training and have a reason to position their businesses for financial access because Equity Bank has regulatory frameworks and inclusive policies that are both Youth friendly and protective of Youth rights.
In her address, Winnie Yegon – Food Systems Analyst talked about the dissemination of ICT with surgical precision as one that can connect small farmers to markets and reduce transaction costs.
“Equally, strengthening youth led platforms will serve the same purpose as well as establish new possibilities for education and technical training in remote rural areas”, she added.
Finally, Sarah Mango, County Agribusiness Officer stated that the Youth are potentials for human capital in the County hence the numerous technical assistance, capacity development and knowledge exchange geared towards rural development.
The Five-day training was centered around topics on Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Financial Inclusion, Digital literacy, digital marketing tools, savings, debt management, digital content creation, E Government, Banking, Digital Economy and Business plan Development.
Department of Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock and Fisheries, County Government of Siaya.