Youth polytechnics in Teso Districts have benefitted from a State sponsored greenhouse projects worth Sh 800,000. The project initiated through the ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports benefitted Katakwa, Amaase and Amagoro youth polytechnics with each getting a state of the art modern green house.

Speaking to the press, Teso District Youth Training Officer Mr. Andrew Kong’ani said that the project targeted youth polytechnics so as to be used as models for training agri-business trainees so as to equip them with modern farming methods. He added that the project would also enhance income for the polytechnics by selling the farm produce grown in the green houses.

He said that the initiative was part of the government’s plan to shift polytechnics’ focus from the traditional courses such as masonry, plumbing and carpentry to more profitable modern technologies. He argued that this will place the youth in the forefront in the fight against poverty and hunger.

“We want to change the perception that farming is for the unskilled and uneducated people. This will reduce rural unemployment and curb idleness among the youth,” said Kong’ani.

The private/public partnership between Amiran Kenya and the Ministry of youth also aims at creating a generation of young commercial-minded farmers so as to redeem the youth from overindulging in unproductive activities such as drinking of cheap local brews. Technicians from amiran Kenya are at their final stages of erecting the structures while some have already started operating.