Nakuru:In a bid to promote job creation and ensure food security, youths across Kenya have been urged to consider agribusiness as a viable career option. The plea comes from the Nakuru County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Livestock, Mr. Leonard Bor, who recognizes the vast untapped potential within the agricultural sector.
According to the Kenya News Agency, Mr. Bor expressed his insights during the 14th Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) Agribusiness EXPO 2023 at its Njoro Main Campus. The CECM highlighted that, despite the formal economy’s ability to cater to fewer than 10% of labor-market entrants, agribusiness remains a less saturated, and potentially lucrative, arena.
Drawing attention to the aging demographic in farming, Mr. Bor emphasized the urgency for the agriculture sector to engage younger individuals. He proposed that by offering incentives, the sector could attract more youth. Agriculture, he pointed out, not only serves as a source of income but can also pave the way for financial independence, enabling youths to evolve as business leaders within their localities.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Bor noted that various initiatives are in motion to depict agriculture as a stimulating, sustainable career choice. He said, “According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)- Kenya, the average age of the Kenyan farmer is 60 years. Opportunities to change this scenario, especially post-Covid-19, reside in redefining agriculture and adjusting perspectives.”
Collaborations are underway between the county administration and multiple stakeholders. These joint ventures aim to host a series of campaigns, encompassing mentorship, marketing education, provision of high-grade yet affordable farm inputs, extension services, and organizing seminars and on-farm field days tailored for the youth.
Furthermore, Mr. Bor underscored the transformative role of technological advancements in rendering agriculture more accessible and sustainable. He elaborated on how enhanced extension services, coupled with technology platforms, can rejuvenate the appeal of farming for the youth. By offering insights on optimal seed varieties, requisite inputs, ideal market prices, and effective market routes, these platforms could bolster the overall productivity of the sector.
With a focus on the younger generation, the current administration, led by Governor Susan Kihika, alongside other stakeholders, is championing the integration of technology into farming. Tools such as Digital Agriculture Tools (DAT) provide weather forecasts, production insights, and market access, empowering young farmers to make well-informed decisions.
The CECM urged national policymakers to devise innovative financing methodologies, strategies for identifying and funding agricultural ventures, and platforms to connect with young individuals enthusiastic about farming.
The RVIST Agribusiness EXPO is an annual event offering farmers crucial information, directing them toward effective farming practices to augment agribusiness productivity.
However, challenges persist. A 2021 report by Heifer International titled “Future of Africa’s Agriculture” revealed that 59% of surveyed Kenyan youths cite land access as a barrier to entering agriculture. Despite abundant agricultural land, a mere eight per cent is utilized for food and crop production, and only 20% is deemed fit for cultivation. The report also underscored the urgent need for strategies supporting youth in the sector.
Reflecting on the industry’s challenges, Heifer Kenya Country Director George Odhiambo remarked on the sector’s low adoption of technology, which continues to inhibit productivity.