‘Youth in Pump Business’: how young entrepreneurs are transforming farming
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, youth unemployment remains one of the region’s most pressing challenges. With nearly 70% of the population under the age of 30 and over 10 million youth entering the labor market each year, the pressure to create sustainable livelihoods is intensifying. In rural areas especially, many young people struggle to find meaningful work beyond subsistence farming or informal jobs. But a growing number are discovering a different path—one rooted in entrepreneurship and made possible by access to affordable irrigation.
In early 2025, KickStart International launched the Youth in Pump Business (YIPB). The pilot program in Western Kenya is supporting 120 young men and women to train as irrigation agents and launch pump-based microenterprises, which generate income, support food production, and strengthen community resilience.
Turning treadle pumps into viable businesses
At the core of YIPB is a simple but impactful tool: the KickStart MoneyMaker irrigation pump. YIPB agents receive training in irrigation and entrepreneurship, then access a pump on credit to begin building service businesses in their communities.
These agents adapt their services to meet local demand. Some agents rent out pumps to smallholder farmers who lack the capital to buy their own. Others offer services such as:
- Car and motorbike washing, using local water sources
- Water vending, especially in dry or remote areas
- Seedling production and sales, often for tree planting and landscaping
For youth with limited to no prior form of reliable income, these microenterprises offer a unique opportunity to build entrepreneurial skills and a source of livelihood while delivering essential services, improving health, productivity, and economic stability for the broader community.
A flexible model for scaling access
The YIPB program is built on KickStart’s Rent to Try and Buy model (R2T&B), which allows farmers to rent a pump before committing to purchase. This lowers the upfront financial barrier to entry for irrigation, encourages customer trial and feedback, and helps build trust in the product. Many farmers buy their own pump after just one successful season, demonstrating the scalability of the model for widespread irrigation adoption.
A growing network of youth agents
In Homa Bay County, R2T&B irrigation agent Ben Blasto began his journey with a single pump and soon expanded his business to serve over 200 farmers. In addition to pump rentals, he provides composting support and informal advice on farm practices.
What’s next for YIPB?
Following early success in Western Kenya, KickStart is working to expand the YIPB initiative by recruiting additional youth agents and building on early learnings. The program continues to operate through the Tupande duka retail network and is being supported by KickStart’s field teams across high-demand areas such as Homa Bay and Kakamega.
Concurrently, KickStart is scaling the R2T&B model, expanding on previous pilots such as a recent collaboration with CARE International to integrate the model into village savings and loan associations in Kenya and Zambia. While the R2T&B model is distinct from YIPB and extends beyond youth, it shares the same goal of expanding affordable irrigation access to underserved communities with the potential to inform future engagement strategies for youth and farmer groups.
Building a generation of agribusiness leaders
The YIPB initiative isn’t just about training or technology—it’s an investment in youth leadership. Each irrigation agent is empowered to become a small business owner, a problem solver, a trusted advisor, and a driver of change in their community. These young entrepreneurs are not only securing their own futures but also helping to transform local food systems and economies.
KickStart is committed to expanding this model to reach more youth and more farmers—and to proving that with the right support, young people can lead the way toward stronger food systems and rural prosperity.
Want to help scale youth-led irrigation?
Partner with us to expand this vital work! Contact us at kickstart@kickstart.org.