About

PELUM Kenya and Farmers Association of Community Self Help Investment Groups (FACHIG) Trust from Zimbabwe have partnered to implement a 1 Year Project January 2022 to Dec 2022 Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture and Marketing through Youth Involvement (PSAMY) digitally. The Project is supported by Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (NOREC). PSAMY project aims at increasing youths’ participation in sustainable agriculture and agricultural and market value chains through knowledge and cultural exchanges between Kenyan and Zimbabwean youth.

The focus will be on sustainable agriculture and marketing. It is acknowledged, however, that there are many challenges associated with engaging youth in agriculture. Agriculture remains unattractive to most youth. This is exacerbated by perception of agriculture as a career of last resort, one of drudgery and low monetary benefits. Information on access to markets, factors of production including land and financing remain extremely limited hindering meaningful and adequate engagement of youth in agriculture in both countries. The Project will involve increasing youths’ participation in sustainable agriculture and agricultural market value chains

In Kenya, the participants will acquire knowledge and skills on sustainable agriculture practices ranging from soil health, agroforestry, pasture management, integrated pest management, water conservation, seed saving etc. While for FACHIG participants will get insights on agricultural produce value addition, entrepreneurial strategies, marketing and marketing dynamics, financial management, existing opportunity in different agricultural value chains and sales. All participants will also be trained on leadership and partnership building. Each Partner PELUM Kenya and FACHIG have each selected 5 participants Interns who have have completed College, Youth below 35 Years, currently not permanently engaged elsewhere. Trainings are held online using physical engagement will be involved in the next phase 2023= 2025
Expected Results of the Project
1) Participants have strengthened their leadership skills and capacity to disseminate knowledge and skills on Sustainable Agriculture to FACHIG network
2) Participants have strengthened their leadership skills and capacity to disseminate knowledge and skills on value chain and market development to the beneficiaries of PELUM Kenya Member Organisation (MOs)
3) Increased their knowledge on value chain-based marketing strategies for increased income from agriculture produce for small holder Farmers in PELUM Kenya network
4) Participants are able to utilize, learn and share using the digital platform