TAGDev Program hosted a Policy Dialogue with the Nakuru County Government and other key stakeholders, focusing on agriculture as a catalyst for youth employment and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Held in the heart of Nakuru City on 28th May 2024, the dialogue underscored the collaborative efforts needed to transform agricultural sectors and foster economic opportunities for young people.
The event saw remarks delivered on behalf of Prof. Isaac O. Kibwage, Vice-Chancellor of Egerton University, by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics, Research & Extension), Prof. Bernard Aduda. Reflecting on the progress of TAGDev 1.0, Prof. Kibwage highlighted significant strides made in areas like Subukia, Solai, and Turi in Nakuru County. "Projects such as the Cassava Value Chain CARP, led by Professor Richard Mulwa, and the Seed Potato CARP, under Professor Anthony Kibe, have substantially benefited local farming communities," he noted. These successes underscore the power of academia, government, and private sector partnerships in driving agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods.
Egerton University has committed itself to furthering these collaborative efforts, aiming to co-create policies that support youth-driven economic growth through entrepreneurship. "Today's policy dialogue is about fostering these partnerships and creating an enabling environment for youth employment," Prof. Aduda emphasized. The objectives of the dialogue included engaging policymakers, highlighting the crucial role of empowered youth in economic development, and promoting inclusivity through community engagement.
Prof. Nancy Mungai, TAGDev Coordinator and acting Director of Research and Extension at Egerton University, provided an overview of the TAGDev Program. Launched in partnership with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and Gulu University in Uganda, and supported by the MasterCard Foundation, the “Transforming African Agricultural Universities to meaningfully contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev)” ran for a period of eight years (2016-2024). Over the years, it has provided scholarships to 188 students from 14 African countries, emphasizing experiential learning, community engagement, and entrepreneurship. Prof. Mungai stressed that the policy dialogue's main objective was to promote collaborations among stakeholders to create an environment conducive to a youth-driven economy through enhanced entrepreneurship.
