Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has revealed that the county government will start the process of certifying agripreneurs to ensure professionalism in the agriculture sector.
Speaking during a joint consultative meeting with 24 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands governors on Tuesday, September 23, Kagwe said that the government will establish a national certification framework for agripreneurs, which will be anchored in the agricultural colleges' curriculum, and that will guide the certification of the individuals.
An agripreneur is an individual who manages enterprises in the agricultural sector and applies technologies, modern business strategies, and other sustainable practices to create value-added products and services.
Why it matters: According to Kagwe, the certification of these individuals will ensure that they are qualified in technology, soil management, and modern production systems before they are approved as legitimate agripreneurs.
The agriculture boss noted that for one to be employed as an agripreneur by county governments, they will need to be certified as an agripreneur by a recognised agricultural college.
“I agree with the proposal to certify agripreneurs so that we can professionalise this space. However, this must not be a licence for unethical practices. Agripreneurs must be qualified in technology, soil management, and modern production systems before they are nationally recognised. We are not hiring agripreneurs; we are certifying them,” Kagwe stated.
"Our agripreneurs must be people who have been trained in agriculture, and in the next meeting with the governors, we will be discussing the curriculum of a so-called agripreneur," he added.
Livestock Productivity
On the other hand, the CS assured that the government will not retreat in deploying strategies that will ensure livestock productivity in the country, especially in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, where pastoralism is the main economic activity.
The priority strategies include rangeland restoration, sustainable animal feeds, livestock vaccination, animal identification and traceability, and targeted breed improvement, according to the CS.
According to Kagwe, elevating the country's livestock sector will be vital in guaranteeing food security, rural livelihoods, and economic growth in these regions.
“Our focus is on market-driven production, through disease control, financial access, stronger producer organisations, and structured marketing to tap lucrative markets,” Kagwe said.
“It’s not witchcraft when we tag our animals; it is to your benefit that we must do it so we can satisfy the export market,” he added.
