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In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, young men and women across Kenya are gaining enhanced access and control over agricultural resources, such as land and equipment. This initiative empowers them to navigate the challenges of agribusiness and thrive in a competitive market. A shining example of this empowerment is Juliet Atieno Okoth, a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Siaya County, whose passion for agribusiness and determination to succeed has transformed her life and the lives of those around her.
Juliet Atieno Okoth: Transforming Lives Through Agribusiness and Empowerment
Juliet’s journey into agribusiness began in 2011 when she started her first enterprise focused on roselle production, a crop highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. At the time, roselle commanded a higher market price than other horticultural crops, making it a lucrative venture. However, accessing land soon became a significant challenge that threatened to derail her progress.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Project Planning and Management in 2015 and gaining experience in various roles, Juliet decided to dedicate herself fully to growing her agribusiness. In 2016, she leased land to cultivate watermelons, but her plans were cut short when the landowner reclaimed the plot after the first harvest. With no formal lease agreement in place, Juliet had no choice but to comply. Undeterred, she leased another piece of land in 2020 to grow tomatoes, only to face the same issue when the owner repossessed the land before she could harvest, resulting in substantial losses.
Despite these setbacks, Juliet remained resilient. Her situation changed in May 2023 when she joined an initiative that offered comprehensive training and support for young agripreneurs. Through this program, she learned the importance of using formal agreements when leasing farmland. This knowledge proved invaluable, teaching her how to identify suitable land for specific agricultural enterprises, conduct due diligence to confirm land ownership, and use formal leasing documents to ensure legal protection.
With her newfound knowledge, Juliet successfully leased two acres in February 2024 for tomato production, using a formal agreement that included provisions for accessing necessary equipment like irrigation pipes.
“The new formal process of leasing land is key for any farmer who wants to practice large-scale production. I am glad that my farm is doing well. I feel secure farming on the leased land. I am on track to get a good profit this season. I have employed two people to help me in the work,” she shares.
Support from the program also helped Juliet register her business and connect with financial institutions to secure credit. In April 2024, she obtained a loan of Ksh 150,000 from Equity Bank, which played a crucial role in expanding her operations.
Inspired by the success of her peers, Juliet diversified into poultry production. She quickly built a network with other young farmers, which provided valuable market opportunities and access to high-quality inputs. She recently sold 200 birds to a fellow participant in the program and joined a cooperative to facilitate market access and secure high-quality chicks.
Juliet’s impact extends beyond her own success. She actively mentors twenty young men and women in agribusiness, sharing her insights and experiences to help them succeed. One of her mentees, Charles Ocholla, has expanded his poultry flock from 20 to 100 birds and is now aggregating chickens from other farmers to sell in the local market of Yala town.
