At 28 years old, Arnold Murithi Njiru is creating opportunities for himself and other young people in Embu County.
Together with 14 members of the Wikurie Mukuuri Youth Self Help Group, Arnold established Pasture Prime Enterprises, a youth-led agribusiness providing silage production, fodder management services and farm equipment rental to dairy farmers.
In its first months of operation, the group has produced 5.5 tonnes of silage, supported more than 12 dairy farmers and started building a sustainable business serving local agricultural needs.
For Arnold, agriculture became a way to apply his skills and contribute to food security in his community.
“I wanted to contribute to food security, but without opportunities or enough capital, it was difficult to put my skills into practice,” he explains.
After graduating from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Agribusiness Management, Arnold returned to his home village in Embu County with the ambition of building his career. Like many young graduates, he faced difficulties accessing stable employment and relied on short-term opportunities while managing a small poultry business.
The turning point came when Arnold joined Wikurie Mukuuri Youth Self Help Group, one of 30 youth groups supported through the project Economic Recovery to the Impact of COVID-19 on Agri-Food Value Chain in Kenya.
Through the project, AVSI Foundation and its partner E4Impact Foundation provided young people with entrepreneurship training, business management skills, technical knowledge on fodder production, digital marketing skills, mentorship and support on group governance and savings.
The groups also visited successful agribusinesses and received equipment and start-up support to launch their enterprises, including fodder choppers, hay balers and silage tubes.
With this support, Pasture Prime Enterprises began providing affordable fodder solutions to dairy farmers, including silage production, fodder chopping, hay baling and equipment rental. The business also partnered with Wang’ombe Self Help Group, allowing more than 500 cooperative members to access silage through a credit system linked to their monthly milk payments.
For Arnold, building the group itself has been one of the most important achievements.
“Bringing together 15 people, agreeing on common goals and building a business that is improving our lives is what makes me proud.”
The group members share work opportunities, generate income and reinvest part of their profits to strengthen and expand the business.
Investing in young people through skills and entrepreneurship
Arnold’s experience reflects the challenges and opportunities faced by many young people in Kenya. With a large youth population, the country has significant potential for innovation and economic growth, but many young people continue to face barriers in accessing decent employment, including limited access to skills, finance, technology and markets.
At the same time, agriculture remains a key sector of Kenya’s economy and offers important opportunities for youth entrepreneurship. Supporting young people to acquire practical skills and develop businesses along agricultural value chains is therefore a strategic intervention of AVSI in Kenya.
Through the Economic Recovery to the Impact of COVID-19 on Agri-Food Value Chain in Kenya project, implemented with funds from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), AVSI Foundation, in partnership with E4Impact and the County Governments of Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi, has supported 300 young people organised into 30 youth groups to establish businesses in the dairy value chain.
From fodder production and silage services to milk shops and yoghurt processing, these youth-led enterprises are improving services for approximately 15,000 smallholder dairy farmers while creating new sources of income for young entrepreneurs.
Young people as drivers of changes
As the world celebrates International Youth Day 2026, AVSI highlights the importance of investing in young people’s skills, creativity and leadership. When young people have access to training, mentorship, and opportunities, they can become active contributors to the development of their communities.
Arnold’s ambition is to continue expanding Pasture Prime Enterprises into a leading fodder solutions provider in Kenya and create more opportunities for other young people.
International Youth Day, celebrated every year on 12 August, highlights the role of young people in building inclusive and sustainable futures.