PlantwisePlus Blog

We meet Mary Mueni in May 2025, in Wote Nziu, Makueni County, Kenya, where she is leading a hands-on training with mango farmers. The topic is climate-smart technologies, and she is in her element. She moves confidently among the group, breaking down complex ideas into simple and relatable terms. Every so often, she pauses to listen attentively to the farmers’ questions, offering practical, science-backed advice they can apply immediately. Farmers listen closely because she has earned their trust. Her calm assurance and technical know-how command attention.

At just 24, Mary wears many hats: Trainer of Trainers, agripreneur, poultry and aquatic fern farmer. But just a short while ago, she stood in a very different place.

From uncertainty to opportunity: Mary’s turning point

After graduating with a degree in Entrepreneurship Management, she faced an uncertain future. Like many young Kenyans, she couldn’t find employment despite her qualifications.

“I had the dreams but not the direction,” she says. “I didn’t know how to start or where to go.”

She had started rearing a few chickens, just five, but it felt more like a hobby than a business. She lacked the skills, networks, and confidence to scale it into something meaningful.

“Opportunities felt distant, and I was beginning to lose hope,” she recalls. “I didn’t know about smart farming practices, sustainable income sources in agriculture, or how to position myself in the agribusiness world. I needed a breakthrough.”

Training and gaining skills that sparked transformation

That breakthrough came when KEITT Exporters, supported by CABI through the PlantwisePlus programme, selected Mary for a youth training initiative. The programme focused on plant health, agribusiness, and leadership, equipping young people with the tools to turn agricultural activities into sustainable, income-generating ventures.

She learned to identify market opportunities and to develop strategies for running a viable agribusiness. Her training also covered core skills such as value proposition design, cost and revenue planning, risk assessment, and sustainability. Most importantly, it gave her the confidence to lead.

“It was a game-changer,” she says. “The sessions were not only informative but incredibly practical and easy to understand.”

Mary earned certification as a Plant Doctor, gaining hands-on skills in plant health, agribusiness planning, and business modelling. With her new skills and confidence, she applied for a Trainer of Trainers position at the Micro-Enterprise Support Program Trust (MESPT) and got the job.

 “I have now been with MESPT for over a year, training farmers on poultry, climate-smart agriculture, and agribusiness management, “she said.

A voice for change in her community

Mary did not just find her footing, she says, she found her voice too. She now mentors other youth and farmers, helping them adopt innovative agricultural practices and build profitable agribusinesses.

“CABI’s training taught me to be composed, agile, and always focused on delivering quality. I have grown not just as a trainer, but as a leader,” she says.

During a recent session on a local chicken farm, Mary worked alongside her mentees, offering both technical advice and business insight.

“I started as a jobless graduate. Now I am a confident trainer and mentor, helping others build a future in agriculture.”

Looking back: A life transformed

“My life has completely transformed,” Mary says.

She scaled her flock from 5 to 45 chickens.  Now, she plans to introduce improved breeds for faster growth and higher productivity, strategies she now understands as key to maximizing profits.

During CABI’s business modelling training, she discovered an alternative, fast-growing, protein-rich feed source that could be cultivated sustainably . She began producing this feed herself, slashing feed costs while maintaining bird health.

“My feed costs dropped significantly, and fellow farmers started asking to buy it from me,” she says.

Seeing the demand, she turned this innovation into a standalone micro-enterprise, selling the feed locally for extra income. Her success also drew 16 youth mentees who now learn poultry management and feed cultivation under her guidance. Many have started their own agri-enterprises.

“Youth-led agriculture is possible and impactful when nurtured with guidance, skills, and motivation,” she adds.

Mary’s work recently gained national recognition at the TUPANDE national agribusiness competition in Kakamega, Kenya, where her youth group placed third nationwide. They showcased her chicken feed and rabbit urine as organic fertilizer, winning a voucher that they reinvested in their ventures.

Through TUPANDE, a One Acre Fund program in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Mary helped her group secure forest and fruit tree seedlings, launching a youth-led nursery that now supports both climate-smart agriculture and income generation.

“The nursery aligns our work with sustainability and environmental restoration, key for rural resilience,” she explains.

Over time, she has built strong agribusiness networks with fellow farmers, development partners, trainers, and market actors, co-developing solutions, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another.

“Networking is vital for collective progress among rural youth seeking to transform agriculture into a viable career path.”

What’s next?

Mary plans to expand her poultry business with improved chicken breeds, mentor more youth in smart agriculture, and grow her networks through MESPT and community engagement.

She also aims to scale up her chicken feed production, exploring packaging options and new value chains, while supporting her youth group to grow their tree nursery and participate in more agriculture innovation challenges.

“I will stay connected with CABI, MESPT, and other partners so we can reach and empower more youth. I am grateful to CABI for believing in me and giving me the tools that changed my life. The training gave me direction and purpose, not just to build a livelihood, but to lift others up with me.”

Youth as food systems leaders

Ms Linda Likoko, CABI’s Projects Support Officer and part of the team engaging youth across Kenya, reflects on Mary’s journey as a powerful example of what is possible.

“She is no longer just seeking employment. She is creating jobs, mentoring others, and leading innovation in her community,” said Ms Likoko.

“Her journey reflects what is possible when young people are empowered with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to lead Africa’s food systems transformation. With continued investment and collaboration, we can scale this impact and reach even more young people.”

Mr Deogratius Magero, Youth Engagement Manager, Africa, said Mary’s journey is a powerful example of how CABI is supporting young people to drive agricultural transformation through skills, resources, and linkages.

“This is in line with CABI’s youth engagement strategy. When we invest in young people today, we feed the future,” he added.

---

More on youth engagement:

“Positive youth engagement programmes empower young people to reach their full potential”

Review explores pathways, business models, and drivers for youth employment in Uganda’s agricultural sector

CABI trains young service providers to help smallholder mango farmers in Kenya produce quality goods for export

CABI-trained youths among 18,000 agripreneurs commissioned by Kenyan President William Ruto

Additional information:

PlantwisePlus gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Directorate-General for International Cooperation, Netherlands (DGIS); European Commission Directorate General for International Partnerships (INTPA); UK International Development from the UK government; and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).