Agriculture PS Paul Rono
Some 162 students from the Kenya School of Agriculture have left for the UK for a six-month industrial attachment under the Seasonal Workers Scheme.
This is a government-backed initiative aimed at equipping youth with global skills in modern agriculture.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony on Friday, Agriculture PS Paul Ronoh said the sector plays a critical role in economic development and job creation.
"Agriculture has a powerful multiplier effect. It not only ensures food and nutrition security but also creates vast employment opportunities, especially for the youth,” he said.
The Kenya School of Agriculture is among the few Technical and Vocational Education and
Training institutions in Kenya and across Africa that are participating in the UK’s Seasonal Workers Scheme.
The initiative, launched as part of the government’s youth employment and labour mobility strategy since 2022, allows students to gain hands-on experience in the UK’s advanced agricultural sector.
The PS said today’s agriculture is rapidly evolving and technology-driven.
“Our youth must be equipped with the right skills and technological know-how to participate competitively across all levels of the agricultural value chain," he said.
The PS said the government has invested significantly in the institutional capacity of the Kenya School of Agriculture’s main and satellite campuses to support competency-based education and training (CBET).
"These investments are bearing fruit. KSA now offers CBET in horticultural production, preparing graduates for the job market locally and internationally and even for self-employment,” he added.
Agriculture Secretary for Administration Harun Khator said the programme is a gateway to global opportunities for young Kenyans.
"This transformative bilateral programme not only strengthens agricultural ties between Kenya and the UK, but also empowers our youth to acquire world-class agri-tech skills,” he said.
“You are pioneers of Kenya’s agricultural future—uphold our values and return as ambassadors of progress.”
The six-month attachment combines hands-on training in modern farming techniques, cultural exchange, competitive pay in sterling pounds and personal and professional development.
Since 2023, the programme has facilitated the deployment of 392 skilled agricultural workers to UK farms, contributing to technology transfer, sustainable agribusiness growth and youth employment.
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