On 10^th October 2024, as Kenya celebrated Mazingira Day, a national holiday dedicated to environmental conservation in the fight against the climate crisis, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, through the Youth and Jobs Department took part in the GS Youth Summit 2024, at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The summit brought together young people from different learning institutions, thought leaders, and key stakeholders from across various sectors to collaborate on innovative solutions that will help address the challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

With the global food system in a critical State, facing numerous challenges, it has become increasingly evident that innovative solutions are required to transform our food systems into equitable, sustainable, and resilient ones. At the heart of this transformation lies the energy, creativity, and determination of the Kenyan youths. The GS Youth Summit was centred around the theme "Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health," with the main goal to empower the next generation of innovators who can drive positive change in food systems, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security.

Speaking in a panel session covering the topic of Integration of Youth Innovation & Technology, Gracemary Muchiri, the Ajira Digital Program Manager at KEPSA, went ahead to highlight the important intersection between innovation, digitization and the youth in the current technological era. With emphasis on the different efforts done by KEPSA to address the issue of youth unemployment in the country, she noted the importance of the youth unlearning and relearning new skills that are currently required in locally and international markets.

"At KEPSA, we are committed to empowering the youth through job creation in various sectors including Agripreneurship. The Youth and Jobs Department is always working to ensure young people have access to opportunities, particularly in the technology space. With advancements in Generative AI, Machine learning, Cybersecurity, and Cloud computing, there’s immense potential to integrate these technologies into agriculture. This not only enhances efficiency, increases output while minimizing input, but also creates more job opportunities for young people. By blending tech with agriculture, we can open up new avenues that didn’t exist before."

The session moderated by Josephine Wanjiku, the Chief Officer of Murang’a County emphasized how important agriculture is to the country's economy, particularly highlighting the role of youth in driving innovation. It was noted that young people are central to creating solutions for regional challenges, such as climate change and food security. Additionally, the panel also discussed how technology can revolutionize agriculture. By utilizing modern tools like drones for farm monitoring, machines for labour-intensive tasks, and data analysis for understanding soil and weather conditions, agriculture can achieve greater efficiency with minimal physical input. These advancements reduce human exposure to harmful chemicals and improve sustainability, showcasing how technology can modernize farming practices.

Finally, there was an emphasis on the need for continuous learning and adaptation. The summit called for the unlearning of outdated methods and the integration of both traditional and modern technologies in agriculture. By understanding the specific challenges in the sector, local innovations can be fostered to develop impactful solutions. This approach is crucial for pushing the sector forward and ensuring it remains competitive and sustainable.