Application deadline: 22nd May 2020 at 8:00 PM (20:00) EAT.
The Kenyan government and its partners have established an agribusiness program worth Ksh 5.1 billion. The program which has been jointly funded by the government of Kenya, the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Danida), and the African Development Bank is set to create jobs for women and youth in the agricultural sector.
The multi-billion-shilling AgriBiz Accelerator program will fund 2,400 women and youth-led agribusinesses and create over 17,000 job opportunities along agricultural value chains. The program also works with local financial institutions to obtain Ksh17.6 billion repayable loans for agribusiness.
The incubator program is to be implemented jointly with selected county governments. It will establish eight Business Incubation Hubs (BIHs) to provide training, business advisory and financing to women and youth in agribusiness. The BIHs will be set up in eight counties; Kilifi, Machakos, Kiambu, Meru, Isiolo, Kisii, Bungoma and Uasin Gishu.
Are you a youth or woman in agribusiness? Are you looking to expand your agribusiness as a means of job creation? The AgriBiz Accelerator program is looking for you. To apply you must meet this criteria:
- Be a youth (any male or female between the ages of 18-35 years) or woman entrepreneur in rural or urban locations countrywide.
- Be an Individuals who recognizes opportunities to either improve their own existing agribusinesses or launch new enterprises to add-value or provide services in the broad agricultural sector, including the livestock sector, mixed farming, crop and fruit producers, fishery, and other value chains.
- Community based organization or Self-help group should comprise of members carrying out similar commercially viable business activities within the agricultural value chain. More than 50% of the members must be either women or youth. With the main leadership positions being held by either women or youth.
- SMEs should be based on commercially viable business ideas within the agricultural value chain.
- The agribusiness should be women or youth led (a minimum of 51% shareholding)
- Applicants must be engaged in legal business.
- Agribusiness should be located within the Republic of Kenya.
- All Agribusinesses must be Agribusiness Ideas, or an early/growth stage registered entity, with no specific year range.
Individuals who meet the above criteria can apply for the program here. Successful applicants will be part of the AgriBiz Accelerator program as from June 2020 to June 2021.
This accelerator program aims to promote sustainable exploitation of natural resources by encouraging appropriate agribusiness practices. And it also promises to provide sustainable and decent jobs for women and youth in agricultural value chains.
During the recent AgriBiz program launch, CEO of Kenya Climate Innovation Centre Edward Mungai said, “There is a silent revolution taking place in Kenya with hundreds of young people and women farmers abandoning traditional ways of farming in favor of innovation and technology and this is what this program will augment,” And I couldn’t agree more.
Kenyans in the agricultural space are always working to innovate new things and better their lives. This program will truly bring the youth and women in agribusiness a ray of sunshine. Make sure to take up the opportunity by applying today.
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