Resilient Agriculture that Works for Young People (RAY)

31-year-old Jared Omondi Odongo from Arujo Ward, Homa Bay County, represents the spirit of a true agri-prenuers. In 2021, lack of money forced him to pause his college studies in Nairobi and return to Homa Bay. But he didn’t let circumstances dictate his future.
Today, he proudly oversees his thriving poultry farm in Homa Bay Town, producing and supplying at least 200 eggs to local incubators daily. “I am happy about the income from the business. I have big dreams of growing it further.” he says.

Thanks to trainings facilitated by Practical Action in Kenya, Jared has reduced production costs and increased... Learn more

Nephile Atieno, co-founder of Ecocud Limited based in Kisumu County, embarked on a journey driven by the need for affordable and sustainable solutions in poultry farming. Starting off as a chicken farmer, Nephile encountered challenges with rocketing feed costs, sparking her innovative venture to specialize in Black Soldier Fly production. 

“At Ecocud Limited, we're transforming the poultry and livestock industry by offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative protein source." Nephile proudly states

Starting with a modest daily production of 5kgs, Nephile realized a readily available market... Learn more

Elizabeth Angeo is a 31-year-old young Agri-prenuers from Emuhaya sub county, Vihiga county. Mrs. Angeo is an Aggregator and a producer of ALVs and poultry. Before RAY intervention, Angeo had a challenge of limited access to finance, equipment, and sustainable market for her produce. Through RAY interventions, including B2B linkages, BDS training and financial literacy, Mrs. Angeo was able to buy an incubator of 1056 egg capacity from farm master (equipment linkage) to invest in brooding business. 

She also acquired a loan worth 200,000 from JIINUE curtesy of collaboration front between KNCCI -Vihiga chapter and Practical Action. With the loan, the... Learn more

Silas Ambetsa is a 26 years old Agripreneur in Vegetables production and marketing from East Wanga Ward of   Mumias East sub county, Kakamega county. Silas was engaged by Practical Action under the RAY project after assessment of his ALVs enterprise to be fronted as a mentor and attract other young men and women in agriculture through Resilient Agriculture that Works for Young People  - RAY project. Previously, Silas was not able to satisfy his market mainly traders and schools where he sells. This is due to challenges related to limited knowledge and skills in production, erratic weather characterized by... Learn more

Peninah Wafula from Kanduyi Sub county, Bungoma County is passionate about agribusiness. She ventured into farming, aggregating, and selling of nutritious and popular African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) including Kales.

“Agribusiness has always been my passion since I was young girl. I am committed to nurturing sustainable practices that will empower my fellow youths to explore opportunities in agriculture and stop dependance,” she says. 

Thanks to her dedication, Practical Action selected her as a mentor to empower her to grow her agribusiness and to support fellow young people to pursue opportunities in agribusiness. 

After being onboarded to the Resilient Agriculture that Works for People... Learn more

33-year-old Hyline Atieno is agripreneur with disability from Uriri Sub-County, Migori County.
 In 2015, Hyline completed her studies in Hospitality Management. But her plan of starting and building a thriving career in hospitality was soon shattered.
 
 “I looked for a job diligently but couldn’t get one. Due to my physical disability, potential employers expressed doubt about my capacity to work. I pleaded for a chance to prove myself but was dismissed. After many attempts, I ended my job search. But I did not give up on myself.” she recalls.

Today, Hyline is successfully running her business of brooding and selling chicks.... Learn more

In the lush green landscapes of Vihiga County, resides Nancy Kavinya, a 34-year-old agripreneur. What started as a modest venture has blossomed into a thriving business that not only sustains her livelihood but also inspires others in her community.

Back in 2012, Nancy specialized in cultivating African Leafy vegetables (ALVs). Her goal was to grow them for domestic use and supply her neighbours and local vegetable vendors. However, competing activities led her to abandon farming temporarily.

In January 2023, Nancy’s life took a turn when she joined the Resilient Agriculture that Works for Young People (RAY) project. Through this initiative, she received... Learn more

Elizabeth Angeo, a 31-year-old agripreneur from Vihiga County, exemplifies resilience in agriculture. After graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, she faced challenges securing formal employment. 

In 2019, she shifted her focus to agribusiness, seeking a sustainable livelihood and a means to support her family. Today, Elizabeth is a successful entrepreneur in poultry, African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) and dairy. She employs four people. 

“I have never regretted that decision to focus on agribusiness. I am a proud young mother, and my greatest motivation is earning from my business while creating jobs for others,” she says.

Among the challenges she... Learn more

The story of Juliet Atieno Okoth, a dynamic 31-year-old from Siaya County, is one of unbeatable passion for agribusiness despite facing challenges.  

Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish her first enterprise in 2011, focusing on roselle production. The crop was lucrative at the time due to its nutritional and medicinal benefits. It commanded a higher market price than other horticultural crops. But, access to land would emerge as a major bottleneck to her progress. 

After graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Project Planning and Management, and serving in various roles, she decided to dedicate time to grow... Learn more

Duncan Mollo is a 26-year-old agripreneur based in Suna East Sub-County in Migori. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Maseno University in 2022. After serving as an intern and a volunteer in various organizations, he turned to poultry and soyabean farming.

“I ventured into agribusiness because I had a passion for self-employment and to create job opportunities for other young people and marginalized people within our community,” he says. 

Using his capital, he started growing soya beans on a family land, producing six to seven bags per acre. He aimed to tap into the high demand... Learn more

Silivia Auma, a 29-year-old agripreneur from Busia County, is an inspiration to young women in her community. Her compelling story is one of overcoming limiting sociocultural perceptions and practices to build a successful enterprise in African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs). 

 In 2017, the parent of three children resolved to venture into ALVs business after seeing opportunities in it. The start-up capital required was modest while the return on investment would only be a matter of few weeks and months, not years. However, her journey in agribusiness proved to be more challenging than she imagined.  

My spouse was initially reluctant to let... Learn more