University students as Outreach Youth Champions in Enhancement of Food Security: Challenges and Lessons from the Enhancing Community Food Security through Outreach Youth Champions (EFSOYC) Pilot Project
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Date
2021
Authors
Kathuri-Ogola, Lucy
Kabaria-Muriithi, Joan
Irungu, Martin
Muchiri, Stephen
Murathe, Stephen
VanLeeuwen, Charlene A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PAC UNIVERSITY
Abstract
Abstract - The Enhancing Community Food Security in Urban and Rural Areas through Outreach Youth
Champions (EFSOYC) pilot project focused on promoting agri-social enterprise initiatives targeting highly
food insecure farming households in Kenyan communities. In pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal
(SDG) 2, the project sought to leverage the potential of youth, specifically university finalist students, as
Outreach Youth Champions (OYCs), to drive food security efforts in their local communities through highly
innovative and participatory initiatives. The pilot project deployed sixteen (16) competitively selected OYCs
to urban and rural communities to promote sustainable activities along the agricultural value chain through
training on effective agri-social enterprise practices, initiating agri-social-enterprises, and farmer saving
groups/cooperatives, and championing value addition strategies. The 16 participating OYCs underwent
three weeks of intense training in preparation for implementing agri-social enterprise in three Kenyan
counties - two semi-arid areas and one urban area for seven months. Initiatives included; shade nets, sack
vertical gardening, soil-less farming (hydroponics) as well as food storage and preservation projects,
specifically solar cold rooms and food dryers. Approximately 187 households benefitted from the OYCs
initiatives, which promoted innovative, sustainable food security practices, improved livelihoods, and
capacity building through training. Implementation challenges were related to team formation, mobility in
project sites, and community engagement. Lessons learned related to the strength in pairing the novice
entrepreneurs, adaptability and resilience of youth, and the value of adopting a participatory approach
throughout the project to enhance community engagement for project ownership and sustainability. Despite
the challenges experienced in the pilot EFSOYC project, adoption and integration of the OYC model as a
graduate transition pathway from institutions of higher learning to the labor market is a plausible option
in Kenya and beyond
Description
Articles
Keywords
Food Security, Innovative agri-social enterprises, Sustainable Development Goals, Outreach Youth Champions
Citation
Kathuri-Ogola, L., Kabaria-Muriithi, J., Irungu, M., Muchiri, S., Murathe, S., & VanLeeuwen, C. A. (2023). University students as Outreach Youth Champions in Enhancement of Food Security: Challenges and Lessons from the Enhancing Community Food Security through Outreach Youth Champions (EFSOYC) Pilot Project. PAC University Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 3(2), 30-42. Retrieved from https://journals.pacuniversity.ac.ke/index.php/PACUJASS/article/view/4