Kitui Rolls Out Agripreneur Model to Modernize Extension Services and Empower Youth

Kitui Rolls Out Agripreneur Model to Modernize Extension Services and Empower Youth

Kitui County has taken a bold step toward modernizing agricultural support with the rollout of the Agripreneur Model, a hybrid extension approach designed to empower youth and improve services to smallholder farmers.

County Executive for Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, this week presided over a three-day training of 183 agripreneurs in Kiusyani, Kitui Rural, and Mutomo Sub-Counties. The initiative is part of a strategic plan to strengthen farmer support systems and unlock agribusiness opportunities across all 40 wards.

*Blending Agriculture with Enterprise*  

The training brought together young innovators, agricultural actors, Community-Driven Development Committees (CDDCs), Frontline Extension Officers (FEOs), and Sacco leadership. Participants were equipped with skills to deliver modern, demand-driven extension services while positioning themselves as key drivers of agricultural transformation.

The Agripreneur Model blends agriculture with entrepreneurship, enabling participants to build sustainable, profitable ventures while providing smallholder farmers with timely advisory services.

*Closing the Extension Gap*  

Once deployed, the trained agripreneurs will serve as critical links between farmers and essential services — including access to quality inputs, agri-technologies, financial services, and reliable markets. The model is expected to bridge long-standing gaps in extension delivery by introducing efficiency, innovation, and accountability at the grassroots level.

Dr. Mbaya said the county is shifting toward hybrid extension systems that integrate traditional field-based support with digital solutions. “Leveraging technology will enhance the reach of extension services and ensure farmers receive real-time, climate-smart advisories tailored to their needs,” he noted.

*Business Acceleration and Digital Tools*  

Central to the initiative is a Business Accelerator framework that will support agripreneurs through mentorship, business coaching, and market integration. This will help them scale their enterprises while delivering impactful services to farming communities.

A new digital agripreneur platform will also be rolled out to support farmer mobilization, streamline service delivery, and promote transparency and traceability within agricultural value chains.

*Aligned to County Agenda*  

The program aligns with Governor Dr. Julius Malombe’s broader agenda to boost productivity, create employment, and build resilient farming systems. By prioritizing innovative, youth-driven solutions, the county aims to redefine extension services and foster inclusive growth in the sector.

If successful, the Agripreneur Model will not only improve farm yields and incomes but also create a new generation of agribusiness leaders rooted in Kitui’s wards.