February 10, 2026 | Nakuru County
Thousands of young farmers across Kenya are set to benefit from a new financing and training programme that will allow them to access up to Ksh 2 million to grow their agribusiness ventures.
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund (Youth Fund) and One Acre Fund officially unveiled their partnership framework during the Youth Agripreneurship Training Forum held at Nuru Palace Hotel in Nakuru County. The forum brought together youth farmers, county officials, and sector stakeholders focused on strengthening agriculture as a viable income source for young people.
The collaboration is anchored on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in November 2025 and is designed to tackle the key challenges limiting youth participation in agriculture — access to affordable financing, business skills, and reliable markets.
Access to Ksh 2 Million Through Agribizz Loan
Speaking at the forum, Youth Fund Chief Executive Officer CPA Benedict Atavachi said the initiative is meant to offer practical solutions to the realities facing young farmers.
He highlighted the Fund’s Agribizz Loan, which allows eligible youth to access up to Ksh 2 million, with repayment periods aligned to agricultural production cycles.
“Through this facility, young farmers can scale their enterprises without the pressure of rigid repayment timelines that do not match farming seasons,” he said.
The flexible structure is expected to encourage more youth to venture into commercial farming and agribusiness value chains.
Combining Financing, Inputs and Market Access
Under the partnership, Youth Fund will provide financing and enterprise development support, while One Acre Fund — through its Tupande programme — will offer farm inputs, technical advisory services, and structured market access.
Officials noted that many young farmers produce quality crops but struggle to secure consistent buyers or fair market prices.
“Market readiness remains central to this partnership,” the CEO said, emphasizing that sustainable agribusiness depends not just on production but also on reliable demand.
The Youth Fund also supports young entrepreneurs by facilitating participation in trade fairs at county, national, and regional levels. In addition, it works with institutions such as the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to help youth meet certification and compliance requirements for domestic and export markets.
Training and Enterprise Development in 22 Counties
The partnership includes structured training programmes focused on enterprise development, financial management, and business plan preparation.
The first phase of implementation will cover 22 counties, targeting youth-led agricultural enterprises with scalable potential.
Stakeholders at the forum expressed optimism that the collaboration will increase productivity, enhance value addition, and create sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
Agriculture as a Path to Youth Employment
With youth unemployment remaining a major national challenge, policymakers are increasingly positioning agriculture as a strategic solution for job creation and economic empowerment.
By combining financing, technical expertise, and market access, the Youth Fund–One Acre Fund partnership aims to transform young farmers from subsistence producers into competitive agripreneurs.
As implementation begins, attention will now shift to how effectively the programme delivers measurable impact for youth across the targeted counties
