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Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my pleasure to welcome you to this important policy dialogue focused on agriculture as a catalyst for youth employment and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Today, I want to highlight how Egerton University, through the TAGDev Program, is fostering an environment where our youth can thrive as entrepreneurs and innovators in the agricultural sector.

The Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev) program has been a cornerstone of our efforts to empower young people through agrienterprise. One of the significant initiatives under this umbrella is the Empowering Kenyan Youth through Agrienterprise Incubation for Improved Livelihoods and Economic Development (AGLEAD) project.

In 2020, as the AGLEAD project's initial phase concluded, TAGDev stepped in to ensure the continuation of its critical support. TAGDev provided the necessary start-up capital for student enterprises, establishing a revolving fund where loans are repaid to sustain future projects. This intervention has been vital in maintaining the momentum of AGLEAD, making TAGDev a key pillar of sustainability for the revolving fund scheme. Beyond financial support, TAGDev offers comprehensive training for incubated students, ensuring their enterprises' success and, subsequently, the repayment of loans.

At Egerton University, we believe in equipping our students with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the agricultural sector. The AGLEAD incubation hub exemplifies this commitment by supporting the development of well-structured agribusiness projects. It provides commercial loans, market access, capacity development, risk management, and networking opportunities. These resources are designed to foster sustainable, commercially viable agribusinesses, contributing to job creation and economic growth.

To date, AGLEAD has enrolled 28 student businesses involving 76 students—41 males and 35 females—funding their ventures with approximately $63,000. These enterprises have created over 150 employment opportunities for other youth and provided sustainable income for the student agripreneurs. Eleven of our incubated students have attracted further grants totaling $55,000 through the RUFORUM FAPA grant and have excelled in business competitions.

Through these efforts, we are not only supporting our students but also fostering strong university-industry linkages. Employers benefit from graduates equipped with practical, entrepreneurial skills, and our graduates help farmers transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture. Innovations developed within the incubator, such as Efarmu Dairy Management Software and the Malkia Incubrooder, address real community needs and exemplify the transformative power of agrienterprise.

º£½ÇÆƽâ°æoffers a robust academic environment with a variety of Faculties, Departments, Programmes, and research initiatives designed to support youth employment and entrepreneurship. Our Faculties include Agriculture, Engineering and Technology, Science, Education, and Arts and Social Sciences, among others. Each Faculty hosts multiple departments offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs tailored to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed in today’s job market.

Our research endeavours are particularly strong in areas such as sustainable agriculture, agribusiness, environmental science, and engineering. These programs provide students with hands-on experience and the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research that addresses real-world challenges. By fostering innovation and practical problem-solving skills, we prepare our graduates to be leaders and job creators in their communities.

Looking ahead, we see tremendous potential for furthering the youth self-employment agenda. Expanding value-added student agrienterprises and obtaining certifications such as KEBS will enable these businesses to grow and create more employment opportunities. The strong relationships between our student enterprises and local farmers position our students as agents of change, capable of driving capacity building and economic development in their communities.

We recognize the great potential for partnering with the County Government to support youth employment. By working together, we can create an enabling environment for entrepreneurial growth and sustainable development. Such collaborations can help co-create policies that foster innovation, provide funding opportunities, and ensure that our young entrepreneurs have access to the resources they need to succeed.

In conclusion, Egerton University, through the TAGDev Program, is committed to supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, we can create a conducive environment for entrepreneurial growth and sustainable development. This policy dialogue is a critical step in that direction, and I encourage all stakeholders to continue supporting these initiatives to transform our agricultural sector and empower our youth.

Thank you.