Agriculture remains an important economic activity in Kenya, with great potential for alleviating poverty. But it needs to be transformed by science and technology to ensure the production of high-quality, competitive products.
Project Promoter:
Co-operative Bank Foundation
Kenya
Marsabit, Isolo and Kwale counties
The Co-operative Bank Foundation partners with 7 Schools in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya to introduce 12 solar powered greenhouses as part of the Agribusiness Club for students. The greenhouses will provide students with an opportunity to learn and apply new techniques in agriculture and help them to develop entrepreneurship and business management skills.
The crops will include vegetables and fruits, which will be used to enhance the nutrition and food supply level of the school diet. The surplus will be sold in the local markets and the funds can be used in any innovative projects proposed by the students, following an “earn as you learn” model.
Expected outputs:
- Agribusiness enterprises set up in 7 public schools
- Food security and nutrition for students
- Knowledge transfer for technology applied to agriculture and business management
- Students earn an income from sales for food surplus
- Access to mentorship programs for students
Status july 2020:
- All 7 schools have functional greenhouses powered by solar power and fitted with well-functioning irrigation systems.
- In Isiolo County, 5 greenhouses and 3 solar irrigation systems were set up in 3 selected schools. A variety of crops including spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbages and beetroot were planted. The plants are being used to enhance the nutrition of the school diet and this has resulted in the schools making savings which they are re-investing into the greenhouse project.
- In Kwale county, 5 greenhouses and the solar irrigation systems were installed in all the 3 targeted schools. The schools harvested tomatoes, capsicum and spinach.
- In Marsabit, 2 greenhouses and solar irrigation system were set up in the selected school. The students planted tomatoes and spinach in the 2 greenhouses.
- The entrepreneurship and business management training has taken place in all schools.
- Execution rate: 100 %
