TAGDev 2.0 Egerton University today held a  collaborative meeting with Nyandarua National Polytechnic to deliberate on areas of collaboration in the implementation of Agrifood Systems & Entrepreneurship Consortium ( ASEC) .

TAGDev 2.0, Egerton University led by the Program Coordinator Prof. Nancy Mungai paid a visit to Team Climate Change Naivasha (TCCN) on 28th January 2025. This engagement marked a crucial step in fostering collaboration between academic institutions and grassroots organizations to drive sustainable solutions for environmental protection and economic empowerment.

TCCN, a youth-led and registered Socio-Economic and Non-Governmental Environmental Organization, is committed to promoting environmental conservation and sustainable waste management practices in Naivasha sub-county. By actively engaging young people in eco-friendly initiatives, TCCN has played a pivotal role in transforming waste into wealth, reducing environmental degradation, and creating employment opportunities for vulnerable youth.
The visit by TAGDev 2.0 aimed to explore partnership opportunities that align with the broader objectives of green innovation, tree-growing initiatives, and job creation. With climate change posing a significant challenge to global food security and livelihoods, such collaborations are essential in fostering climate-resilient communities and sustainable agricultural practices.

During the meeting, representatives from both organizations deliberated on various strategic areas for collaboration. One of the key focus areas was tree-growing initiatives aimed at increasing forest cover and mitigating climate change effects. By leveraging TCCN’s expertise in community mobilization and TAGDev 2.0’s research and technical knowledge, the partnership seeks to various initiatives.

One of the critical areas of discussion was green innovation. The meeting highlighted the potential of upcycling waste materials into valuable products, promoting circular economy models, and enhancing agribusiness opportunities for young people. TCCN has been at the forefront of innovative waste management solutions, turning discarded plastics into useful items and biodegradable waste into organic fertilizers. TAGDev 2.0, through its engagement with agripreneurs, aims to support such innovations by providing mentorship, funding opportunities, and market linkages for youth-led green enterprises.

Job creation for vulnerable young women and men was also a key agenda of the discussions. The collaboration envisions skill-building programs targeting unemployed youth, equipping them with knowledge in agroecology, sustainable waste management, and environmental entrepreneurship. By integrating environmental conservation with economic empowerment, the initiative seeks to address both unemployment and environmental degradation, ensuring a just and sustainable future. To achieve sustainability, the members are going to be capacity built and incubated in green innovation. This approach will ensure that TCCN continues to thrive as a leading force in environmental conservation while equipping its members with essential skills to drive long-term change.

TAGDev 2.0 remains dedicated to empowering young people in agriculture and environmental sustainability through strategic partnerships. 

Written By:
Ian Kamau.
Communication Intern, TAGDev 2.0 Program, Egerton University. 

Egerton University’s TAGDev 2.0 Program is held a collaborative meeting on 28th January 2025 with the Dairy Training Institute (DTI) to strategize on the implementation of the Agrifood System & Entrepreneurship Consortium (ASEC) project. This meeting aims to establish actionable steps to leverage the dairy value chain for job creation among young women and men while enhancing the capacity of farmers.

  
The engagement highlighted the critical role of the dairy sector in fostering youth employment and agripreneurship. Discussions focusing on integrating technical training, value addition, and market linkages to create sustainable opportunities for young people. By equipping dairy farmers with practical skills in dairy farming, processing, and agribusiness, the initiative seeks to empower them to job creators and also create business along the dairy value chain.

Additionally, the meeting explores strategies for improving farmers' productivity through training and access to modern dairy farming technologies. With dairy being a major agricultural sub-sector in Kenya, ensuring that farmers adopt best practices will enhance milk production, improve quality, and boost their incomes.  
This collaboration aligns with TAGDev 2.0’s broader mission of strengthening agricultural education and entrepreneurship to drive economic transformation. Through ASEC, stakeholders are committed to fostering an inclusive agrifood system where young people, including persons with disabilities (PWDs), can access meaningful employment and business opportunities.  

The TAGDev 2.0 Program, in collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Livestock Innovation and Business (CoELIB Centre) at Egerton University, is fostering creativity among young creatives to transform the agricultural landscape. Through a unique initiative, young creatives are producing compelling agricultural films that highlight innovative technologies, value addition, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship in the agrifood sector.

Agriculture plays a crucial role in Africa’s economy, yet many young people remain disengaged due to outdated perceptions and limited exposure to its potential. To address this, TAGDev 2.0 and CoELIB are leveraging the power of storytelling to reshape narratives and inspire the next generation of agripreneurs. These films serve as powerful tools to educate, motivate, and connect farmers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers with sustainable agricultural solutions.

The initiative provides young innovators with the skills and platforms to document real-life agricultural success stories. By showcasing the adoption of modern farming techniques, value chain development, and innovative agribusiness ventures, these films aim to bridge knowledge gaps and encourage youth participation in agriculture. The program also emphasizes gender inclusivity and the integration of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), ensuring that the agrifood sector is accessible to all.

Through mentorship, technical support, and access to cutting-edge filmmaking equipment, participants are equipped to produce high-quality visual content. These productions not only highlight agribusiness opportunities but also advocate for policies that support youth-led agricultural enterprises.

By championing transformative ideas through visual storytelling, young creatives are contributing to a more dynamic, inclusive, and prosperous agrifood system. The partnership between TAGDev 2.0 and CoELIB at Egerton University is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in driving agricultural development and youth empowerment.

Written By:
Ian Kamau.
Communication Intern, TAGDev 2.0 Program, Egerton University.