The Samburu Youth Climate Action Project, led by Zuhara Impact Organization, aims to improve opportunities for entrepreneurship and climate change mitigation and socio-labor of youths in vulnerable communities in Samburu, Kenya. It offers a solution to youth unemployment and promotes youth participation, leadership and empowerment with a focus on environmental sustainability through social innovation and social entrepreneurship, enabling young people to identify social and environmental challenges in their communities and create business solutions to address them, marketing models to help their businesses grow/expand/ improve their operational efficiency.
YPARD Kenya supports the project by offering custom made mentorship to support youth owned agri enterprises develop climate smart Agricultural practices that are aligned for enterprise development in a sustainable and eco friendly way.
Below is a brief overview of the sessions conducted:
Session 1: Focused on establishing mentorship relationships and introducing mentees to YPARDKenya activities. Mentees shared their inspirations in agribusiness, set expectations, and discussed guidelines for collaboration. A workplan was also developed.
Session 2: Highlighted the importance of agriculture in nutrition and food security. Mentees learned about sustainable agriculture practices, strategies to ensure adequate nutrition and food security, and the impact of agricultural practices on health and well-being. Agronomic practices of various crops were discussed, including carrots, finger millet, cowpeas, sweet potatoes, kale, amaranth, bell pepper, spinach, groundnut, onions, and sorghum. Post-session activities included discussing traditional crops, and the role of Samburu County Government and development partners in addressing malnutrition and food insecurity.
Session 3: Focused on principles for agricultural transformation, exploring challenges and opportunities in agricultural transformation in Kenya. Post-session activities involved discussing agricultural transformation in Samburu County.
Session 4: Covered challenges faced by youth in agriculture and opportunities in agribusiness. These mentorship sessions aim to equip Samburu Climate Action Youths with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute effectively to sustainable agriculture and food security in their communities. Through practical learning and discussions, participants are empowered to address agricultural challenges and leverage opportunities for personal and community development.
Session facilitators include: Jenice Audi, Allan Migaili, Ivy Gloriah and Austine Dan
The team profiles for the Samburu Youth Climate Action Project:
The Idea Stage Entrepreneurs
These teams were formed during the 5-day climate change and entrepreneurship boot camp. They seek to implement their business from the idea stage and have received part seed funding to build prototypes.
1. Samburu Youth Basket
The team seeks to transform degraded landscapes into fertile farmlands for food production and promote collective action towards climate action and adaptation using permaculture model designs. Through permaculture, they will be able to address food insecurity and drought by growing produce and selling it at better prices for the people of Samburu.
Proposed products
- Capacity building programs for youth on permaculture models and value addition on
traditional vegetables
- Growth and sale of fruits and vegetables using permaculture models
Progress
Currently in the prototyping stage of a model permaculture farm, with land already acquired.
2. Samburu Agrinutrition Youth
The team seeks to improve nutrition and food security in Samburu using climate-resilient agriculture in growing sweet potatoes, sorghum, millet, and peanuts.
Proposed products and activities
- Nutritional porridge grown from sweet potatoes, Sorghum, millet, and peanuts grown
from smart gardens
- Smart gardening services for prospecting farmers in Samburu
Progress
Land for farming(1⁄8 of an acre) has been acquired, and they are currently prototyping a
nutritional porridge supplement. Vines have been planted.
3. Beneficial Agricultural association
The team aims to mitigate the effects of drought on food security using food preservation methods and eco-friendly bee-keeping methods using concrete bee hives.
Products
- Preserved vegetables and fruits
- Honey and its products
- Concrete bee hives
Early stage entrepreneurs
These are climate-smart enterprises that were in operation between 6 months and two years before the commencement of the challenge. They all have received a part of their seed funding to build and present prototypes of their businesses.
1. Environmental Justice team Samburu
They are a community-based organization working to promote environmental justice and community well-being in the Samburu region. Their focus is on increasing awareness of environmental justice, implementing sustainable agricultural practices for improved food security, and preserving vital greenspaces within the community. In addition, they provide essential mental health and psychosocial support, recognizing its pivotal role in overall well-being. The company is committed to empowering special groups, including women, youth, and individuals with disabilities, ensuring their active involvement in community development. Moreover, they are actively involved in combating HIV/AIDS through community-led initiatives, acknowledging the significance of collective efforts in addressing health challenges. Through these interconnected initiatives, their vision is to cultivate a resilient and thriving Samburu community, where environmental sustainability, social empowerment, and health are seamlessly interwoven for enduring positive impact.
Proposed Products
- They are looking to implement a hydroponic farm to grow vegetables
- Sale of tree seedlings
Progress
Prototyping phase. They have bought hydroponic farm equipment
2. Dove of Hope
Dove of Hope, situated in Samburu East Wamba, catalyzes change, specifically targeting the Moran community. Established to instill hope and inspiration, the initiative aims to reduce cattle rustling and banditry prevalent in the region, often linked to cultural practices and climate change. By recognizing the Moran as pivotal contributors to community production, Dove of Hope seeks to address the root causes of these challenges. Through this focused approach, the initiative aspires to create a positive impact, fostering stability and security in the community, while uplifting the Moran and inspiring a transformative shift in Samburu East Wamba.
Products
- Creating feedlot using acacia seeds
- Training and mentoring morans on livestock keeping
- Market for the sale of livestock
Progress
Prototyping on training models for morans to produce feedlots and sell livestock