400 youth trained on horticultural farming

Some 400 youth in agribusiness in Embu County have benefited from a training on best practices on horticultural farming.

FAO representative, Patrick Maina said so far, the organisation has trained 7,800 farmers in Embu with an aim of enhancing production and hence profitability to farmers.

“With contract farming, the youth will be assured of profitability for their agricultural activities hence we are partnering with the county government to make this project succeed,” he noted.

Habitat Intertrade CEO Ken Kimathi said demand for horticultural produce is high locally and for export.

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He added that they are going to establish seed beds for various crops for farmers to ensure quality and healthy varieties.

They will also establish collection centres in every ward where horticultural produce from the contracted youth will be collected.

He encouraged youth to get involved in agriculture instead of waiting for white collar jobs which are not forth coming.

Joshua Muriithi, a beneficiary of the project, thanked the county government for connecting the youth with financial institutions for affordable financing, which he noted is a major challenge affecting the youth.