Practical Action and Mastercard Foundation have collaborated in establishing the Resilient Agriculture that Works for Young People (RAY) project. The project is expected to benefit over 100,000 youth in Western Kenya through a mentorship model to increase youth engagement in the agriculture sector.

The program will be implemented in the nine counties of Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Nyamira, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, and Vihiga over the coming five years.

According to a statement by the UK-based development charity, the programme aims to: 

• Accelerate young people’s adoption of sustainable farming practices and regenerative agriculture to improve productivity, increase income, and restore natural capital.
• Develop market systems to stimulate long-term sustainable change in which markets operate more effectively and critically and work better for young men and women.
• Give them access to markets and support to build strategic relationships with key players to build their own successful farming enterprises. 

This will increase incomes and job opportunities for 70,000 women and 30,000 men aged 18 and 35 in target areas. Young people account for over 35 per cent of Kenya’s population and 60 per cent of its labour force. 

Practical Action will assist the participants in establishing businesses and enhancing their access to knowledge, training, and finances. 

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Practical Action states that once completed the project also hopes to: 

• Enable 85 per cent of young people to have access to affordable financial products to start and expand their agribusinesses.
• Acquire land and farming tools by establishing relationships with suppliers and landowners.

The project is funded by the Mastercard Foundation under its Young Africa Works strategy, which seeks to enable 30 million African youth to have dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.

Courtesy: Practical Action