Taveta Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College is preparing to launch new Agriculture and Livestock courses aimed at equipping youth with modern farming skills and promoting food security in Taita Taveta County.
The new training program is part of the county government’s broader efforts to expand job opportunities for young people and promote agribusiness as a key driver of employment and economic growth.
Through this initiative, the county aims to empower youth to engage in productive nation-building and self-employment ventures.
On Friday, October 3, County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) Dawson Katuu (Agriculture, Livestock, Cooperatives and Blue Economy) and Shadrack Mutungi (Youth Affairs, Sports, Gender and Social Services), together with Chief Officer for Special Programs Harrison Mkala, visited the college to discuss plans for launching the new training programs.
Speaking during the visit, CECM Katuu said that the new courses will focus primarily on practical farming and agribusiness skills, which will boost youth employment and entrepreneurship while strengthening Taita Taveta’s position as a food basket for the region and beyond.
“The new training will focus on practical farming and agribusiness skills which will boost youth employment and entrepreneurship activities, strengthening Taita Taveta’s role as a food basket for the county and beyond. Also, the youths can play a vital role in innovating the climate smart farming and livestock management,” he said.
CECM Mutungi emphasized the need for collaboration between technical institutions, local industries, and government departments to ensure that TVETs in the county excel and create opportunities for young people.
“When our technical colleges work together with our local industries and government, the technical institutions in the county excel, and stronger connections are created for young people to find job opportunities,’’ said Mutungi.
The college principal, Mr. Martin Makoha, welcomed the initiative, noting that Taita Taveta’s strong agricultural base makes it an ideal location for specialized training in modern farming.
“We currently have 525 students, but we are looking forward to increasing the numbers and equipping them with more skills. Taita Taveta is an ideal place for specialized agricultural training,” said Makoha.
The new programs are expected to inspire a generation of skilled young farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs, helping address challenges of unemployment, food insecurity, and slow rural economic growth which is not only in Taita Taveta but also across Kenya.
