The 13th World Potato Congress (WPC) 2026 has launched a Youth Engagement and 4K Club Programme aimed at equipping young people with practical agricultural skills while creating a lasting legacy beyond the Congress.

The initiative brings together 40 members of 4K Clubs from Nairobi and Nakuru counties, representing ten participating schools in Nakuru County. The programme seeks to connect young people from urban and rural communities while strengthening their understanding of agricultural production and food systems.

Through demonstration plots and capacity-building activities, the young participants are working alongside agricultural specialists to gain practical knowledge in potato production. Training areas include land preparation, certified seed production, soil health management, integrated pest control, agricultural record-keeping and Good Agricultural Practices.

The programme kicked off with participants gathering at FreshCrop Limited Farm in late July to learn about potato production and begin the planting process.

The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Ministry of Education, the County Government of Nakuru, the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).

Teens Voice Africa and Akili Kids are also partnering in the programme, alongside seed, fertiliser and crop protection companies supporting hands-on agricultural learning.

The youth programme forms part of the WPC 2026 legacy initiatives, which seek to extend the impact of the Congress beyond the October event.

By introducing young people to practical potato production and agricultural skills, the programme aims to inspire greater interest in agriculture among the next generation while contributing to conversations around food security and sustainable farming.