Livestock project targets Garissa youth with skills, finance and market opportunities
Beneficiaries are expected to earn up to Sh17,500 per month from livestock-related enterprises.
The Garissa County government has welcomed a new initiative aimed at empowering youth in the livestock sector.
The project, known as Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in Kenya's ASALs (CASHA), is funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It will target 60,444 youth in Garissa and other ASAL counties.
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CASHA seeks to integrate young people into livestock value chains by equipping them with skills, access to finance, and market linkages. Beneficiaries are expected to earn up to Sh17,500 per month from livestock-related enterprises. The project also prioritises inclusivity, with a strong focus on young women and persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch, Garissa County Secretary Mohamud Mursal praised the initiative, saying, "Livestock is the backbone of our economy in Garissa. By equipping our young people with skills, access to finance, and market linkages, CASHA will not only transform livelihoods but also strengthen food security and resilience across our communities."
Garissa County Secretary Mohamud Mursal addresses the CASHA delegation at his office in Garissa. (Photo: Issa Hussein)
Implementation roadmap
CASHA National Project Coordinator Michael Ngutu highlighted the programme’s focus on inclusion and sustainability.
"Young people, especially women, face systemic barriers in accessing opportunities in the livestock economy; hence, an opportunity is now availed to them. CASHA is designed to dismantle those barriers by building skills, opening up value chains, and empowering youth to take charge of their futures," Ngutu said.
The CASHA delegation also held a workshop with county directors and technical officers in Garissa town to present the project’s structure and implementation roadmap.
According to officials, the initiative is set to redefine youth engagement in the livestock sector while driving economic growth, social equity, and climate-smart livelihoods in Garissa and across the wider ASAL region.
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