Custom Haybaling As a Business Opportunity for Destitute Youth in Kenya.

The African Union identified high youth unemployment as an impending threat to stability in Africa. A World Bank report estimated that there are currently 200 million youth, ages 15-24, in Africa, representing 20% of the population, 40% of the workforce, and 60% of the unemployed. Limited employment opportunities in rural areas drive youth to the cities where they often end up on the streets. An exit program was started in a center for street children in Nyeri, Kenya, to empower them to start their own businesses, with priority given to agriculture. Feed shortages for the growing dairy industry was identified as a business opportunity. Low-cost harvesting and baling equipment was introduced to harvest and bale indigenous grasses for transportation from rural to sub-urban areas where zero-grazing units are ubiquitous. Including these perennial grasses in crop rotations helps improve soil quality and erosion control. Youth formed a custom haybaling team that works for farmers in the Mt. Kenya area. Business analysis revealed that net income up to $5 per person per day was achieved. Discussion will concentrate on profit potential of different grasses, equipment options to improve profitability and training programs to expand this business venture to other youth centers in East Africa.