Young agripreneurs learn the business of turning agriculture into profit
Agriprenuers from Nakuru during the seventh BDEC graduation.
For young people venturing into agriculture, access to practical business skills can make the difference between simply farming and running a profitable agribusiness. This has been the experience of Boniface Kipkoech and Jackline Chepkoech from Kuresoi South, who say the seven-month Business Development, Entrepreneurship and Course (BDEC) programme has transformed how they engage in agriculture.
Kipkoech, an agripreneur from Keringet who specialises in the potato value chain, says the training has changed his approach to farming while equipping him with skills that have strengthened his interactions with farmers and business partners.
“I specialise in the potato value chain, from production to marketing and end-to-end linkages. The BDEC course has helped me with behaviour change and understanding how farmers have been doing their farming,” says Kipkoech.
Moreover, he says the training has improved his negotiation and communication skills, particularly when dealing with contracts and marketing of agricultural produce. Consequently, he is now more confident when engaging and addressing farmers.
Boniface Kipkoech an agriprenuer from Keringet, Kuresoi South.
“Now I can address farmers without fear,” he added.
Additionally, Kipkoech says the programme helped him overcome challenges in conflict resolution. Previously, disagreements with farmers could be difficult to handle; however, he can now approach conflicts calmly and find solutions without unnecessary quarrels.
Similarly, Chepkoech from Tinet, Kuresoi South, says the programme has opened her eyes to the opportunities available to young people in agriculture. Through farming and agribusiness, she has been able to create employment for herself and other young people while encouraging them to consider agriculture as a viable career.
Importantly, the training has also transformed how she manages her poultry and potato enterprises. Before joining the programme, Chepkoech says she relied on memory to keep track of her business activities. However, she now maintains proper records, covering everything from purchasing inputs to the final products.
Jackline Chepkoech an agriprenuer from Tinet, Kuresoi South.
“As a result, I can now understand my costs and profits better, and this has really helped me,” she said.
James Mwangi, a Project Officer with the Cereal Growers Association supporting Farm to Market Alliance projects, said the BDEC programme is designed to equip Farmer Service Centre (FSC) operators with the business skills necessary to run successful agricultural enterprises.
According to Mwangi, the seventh cohort targeted 201 FSCs, including 16 from Nakuru, with 189 successfully graduating after completing the programme.
Since its inception in 2020, BDEC has continued to strengthen rural agripreneurs through modules covering business management, financial literacy, negotiation, communication and other essential entrepreneurial skills.
Therefore, as more young people embrace agriculture, programmes such as BDEC are helping them move beyond farming as a livelihood and instead build sustainable businesses that create jobs, connect farmers to markets and contribute to stronger agricultural value chains.