The government has donated 10,000 vegetable seedlings to the 4K Club launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
They were distributed among 10 schools on Wednesday, July 28.
Uhuru said in June the 4K initiative aims to create awareness and instil a positive mindset towards agriculture among school children and youth.
The 4K stands for Kuungana, Kufanya, Kusaidia Kenya, which means Coming Together for Action to Help Kenya.
On Wednesday, Agriculture CS Peter Munya handed out 10,000 kale and spinach seedlings to 10 schools in order to support the 4K Club.
They were donated by the Israeli Embassy.
Munya said the 4K Club will engage young people in agriculture and has gained acceptance among stakeholders and the public.
“This will lead to increased consultations and creation of networks, synergy and partnerships to drive this agenda to the next level,” the CS said.
The 10 schools in Nairobi were selected on the basis of existing 4K or Young Farmer's Clubs. Other criteria were enabling infrastructure for nurturing seedlings to maturity.
The aim is to provide safe and clean vegetables to the school and market.
Munya urged all students in the country to utilise the produce from the club projects as part of the School Feeding Programme as stated by the President.
The CS urged more stakeholders to support this programme and inform the young generation about unlimited opportunities in agribusiness. He said they could contribute in improving levels of innovation and technology.
“The learning-by-doing philosophy is a great way of encouraging young people to be involved in diverse activities that build their competences, character and contribute to the community,” he said.
The CS said the ministry will use the 4K Club platform to disseminate and promote efficient technologies that stimulate harvesting, irrigation, land preparation, planting, post-harvest management and agro-processing.
“We look forward to witnessing the growth of projects by the clubs to contribute to food and nutrition security in the Big Four agenda, Munya said.
Anne Nyaga, Agriculture CAS, said one youth in Agriculture Unit has been established to oversee the roll-out of the 4-K Club Model.
“We are in the process of forming the County Technical Committees, school committees, school patrons, club members and building their capacity on the rebranded 4K Clubs model,” she added.
(Edited by V. Graham)
