Over 160 Kenyan youths trained at Kenya School of Agriculture (KSA) are set to work in United Kenya farms under the Seasonal Workers Scheme programme.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh said the youths will benefit for the six-month industrial attachment in UK farms.  “The attachment combines hands-on training in modern agricultural techniques, competitive remuneration in sterling pounds, cultural exchange and professional development,” said Ronoh.

The youths trained on horticultural courses at KSA, he said will undertake the attachment under the Government of Kenya-United Kingdom Seasonal Workers Scheme. Ronoh while flagging off the youth numbering 162 outside Kilimo offices explained that the Seasonal Workers Scheme is one of the many Youth Employment and Labour Mobility Initiatives that the Government of Kenya has been undertaking.

“As a testimony of success of these government interventions of ‘youth in agriculture empowerment’, Kenya School of Agriculture is currently offering Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) in Horticultural Production Courses which equips trainees with skills demanded in the job market within the country and beyond, as well as for self-employment,” said the PS.

In a speech read on behalf by the Secretary Administration Harun Khator, Ronoh highlighted that Kenya School of Agriculture is among the few participating Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Kenya and in Africa.

The PS highlighted that today’s agriculture is changing and highly technology driven and the youths must therefore, be trained and technologically empowered to competitively participate at all levels of the value chains. Ronoh said in order to continually develop skilled and empowered youths, the government has invested in institutional capacity development at the KSA main campus and satellite campuses in various regions of the country.

“These investments are expected to support training and competency development of youths in various fields in agriculture,” he added.

Ronoh added that since 2023 to date, KSA has dispatched a total of 392 students who have been successfully recruited to work in UK farms under the (SW S) programme.