China-IFAD SSTC Facility 2025 Annual Activity: Empowering Youth for Agricultural Modernization in Africa

The training focused on youth empowerment and agricultural modernization, covering smart horticulture, livestock rearing, aquaculture, and youth development. Sessions included practical technologies such as smart horticulture systems, poultry and dairy farming, feed formulation, disease prevention, under-forest livestock models, and total mixed ration (TMR).

Kennedy Nyachiro, director of planning at Kenya’s National Treasury and Economic Planning and Head of IFAD Affairs, highlighted in his speech: “the tripartite cooperation model between IFAD, Kenya, and Chinese universities not only strengthens agricultural technology exchanges but also effectively promotes youth skills development and empowerment.”

Moses Abukari, IFAD regional project manager for Eastern Africa, stated: “youth are the driving force of Africa’s agricultural transformation. Through the support of the China-IFAD SSTC Facility, we link IFAD loan projects with skills training to help young people integrate into value chains, increase their income, and contribute to agricultural modernization.”

Participants expressed strong enthusiasm throughout the training. Daniel Juma Onyango, a trainee from Siaya County, shared: “there is high demand for aquatic products in local markets, but farming techniques remain limited. This training met our needs and enhanced my aquaculture skills. Applying this knowledge will help me improve yields and significantly increase my income.”

Similarly, Peter Wagai from Nakuru County noted: “the training broadened my understanding of effective livestock rearing. I learned about disease identification, prevention, and management, as well as feed requirements and formulation. I realized the role of technology in improving efficiency and profitability, which was highly beneficial.”

The training drew a diverse group of participants, including applicants from  the Facility-funded SSTC project sites in Nakuru, staff from four IFAD loan projects ( The Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project, Aquaculture Business Development Programme,  Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme – Climate-Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods Window, and  Rural Kenya Financial Inclusion Facility), new youth beneficiaries, officers from IFAD’s East and Southern Africa regional office and Kenya Country Office, as well as faculty and students from Egerton University and Nanjing Agricultural University.

Throughout the workshop, one message resonated clearly: technologies and practices are most effective when they are tailored to the local context, rather than imported wholesale. As participants emphasized, modern technologies and South-South exchanges serve as “seeds of change”—cultivating knowledge today and sowing the promise of sustainable jobs for tomorrow.

As a flagship event of the Facility in 2025, this training showcased innovative China-Africa cooperation and highlighted the unique value of the IFAD’s SSTC platform. Looking ahead, the Facility Secretariat will continue to partner with technical institutions in China and Africa to deepen agricultural exchanges, empower youth, and jointly promote food security and sustainable agricultural transformation across Africa.