US Ambassador to Kenya, Robert Godec. [Photo/Twitter]
US Ambassador to Kenya Robert F. Godec has urged the youth to get involved in agribusiness saying that it offers long lasting livelihood.
Speaking at the 1st National Youth in Agribusiness Conference and unveiling of the Kenya Youth Agribusiness Strategy (2017-2021) in Nairobi, Ambassador Godec said agriculture can help young people make successful life as it offers real financial opportunities.
“Agriculture, both farming and agribusiness, offer real opportunities, a way to make money and to have a long-lasting livelihood. Agriculture can help young people make a successful life, a life that also helps their country’’ said Ambassador Godec.
County officials and young people from all the 47 counties attended the conference held at the KCB Training Centre in Karen.
The Ambassador commended the deliberate effort on the part of both the national and county governments to coordinate closely as this will be particularly important in the implementation of the National Youth in Agribusiness Strategy.
The youth make up 35 percent of Kenya’s population, but the unemployment rate among the youth stands at 67 percent. A vibrant agriculture sector can provide a substantial percentage of youth with employment through farming and agribusiness in the dairy, horticulture and staples food industries.
The U.S. Government believes that the best opportunities for long-term success are those that are local and include partnerships with the government, communities and civil society, particularly the private sector.
The U.S. Government is proud to be the primary contributor to this conference. The U.S. flagship food security program--Feed the Future, is a five year $220 million initiative that has worked with 150,000 youth to improve food security in Kenya.
In addition, the U.S. Government provides $26 million of programs that aim to provide 80,000 new jobs for young people in Kenya.