Youth led Civil Society Organizations in Siaya have called on the government to prioritize support to the youth interested in agribusiness activities as a way of revolutionizing food production systems. Through the Muungano Youth Network Group, the Civil Society Organizations said deliberate efforts are required to save the malfunctioning food systems that has resulted into hunger and malnutrition because of over consumption and low productivity.
Led by the Muungano Youth Network team leader, Hillary Omondi, the organizations that met at a Siaya hotel to mark this year’s International Youth Day said a deliberate policy that will ensure that affirmative action funds are used to support agribusiness activities was required to save the country from looming food scarcity in future. “The food systems of today are malfunctioning, resulting in hunger, malnutrition and over consumption” the Civil Society Organizations said in a statement read by Omondi adding that bold action was required to transform food systems to become sustainable, resilient and inclusive.
The organizations challenged Siaya county government to create a conducive environment for the implementation of the county youth policy and provide budget allocations for the youth led actions. “According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ 2019 population census, youth population in Siaya county is 377,409 with agriculture being one of the economic enablers that contributes 58% of the county’s GDP” they said adding that this segment of the population cannot be ignored in development programs.
The called on the devolved government to consider giving waivers and subsidized levies on Small and micro Enterprises owned by youths as a way of encouraging young Kenyans to venture into business and manufacturing. During the occasion, Omondi called for engagement of the youth in security and peace initiatives as the country gets closer to the 2022 general elections. Omondi further called for inclusion of the youth in the preparation of the post Covid 19 recovery strategies and all spheres of decision making as required by the constitution.