By Clifford Akumu
A large number of youth are employed in agriculture sector in sub Saharan Africa. However, initiatives towards agribusiness uptake among the youth need to be attractive in order to feed hungry millions stuggling with foood insecurity in Kenya.
According to Dr.Monicah Waiganjo, County minister for agriculture, livestock and fisheries,Kiambu County, perception of agriculture as a viable economic activity is still very low among youth in the county, a situation she terms as ‘a worrying trend’ that must be nipped in the bud.
“Agribusiness is not just about the old generation in the community. We need to attract the youth to venture into such activities to achieve food security ” said Dr.Waiganjo during Kiambu County Agribusiness fair that was organized by Kenya Livestock Producers Association and the county government of Kiambu.
Dr.Monica-Waiganjo-and-Kiambu-County-officials-touring-tassels-dairy-farm-stand-during-the-Kiambu-County-Agribusiness-trade-fair-at-Thika-technical-institute
She said that the county had a favourable climate that supports a plethora of farming activities and called upon the youth to ‘grab the opportunity and be their own employers.’
“We must encourage the youth to embrace farming as a full time job opportunity” she said.
Although the county had embarked on an ambitious training project that utilized Sh.32 million to train over 2,000 farmers and procure 80 greenhouses, Waiganjo reckons the need to redouble effort in attracting the youth to agribusiness opportunities.
“The county government adopted the FAO farmer field school approach of training for various youth groups; but, most of the youth we trained in these groups just lost interest. It is unfortunate that some of them went back to consuming alcohol” said Waiganjo.
Over 80% of the population in the county depend on agriculture as an economic activity, with more than 1.3 million directly or indirectly employed in the sector.
In a bid to woo youth and increase technology transfer among farmers, devolved units like Kiambu, are holding agribusiness exhibitions in conjunction with KLPA, to chart independent agribusiness roadmaps.
“Our youth can come and learn new technologies and innovation in agribusiness. It also gives them a chance to listen to success stories than can change their perception about farming” added Waiganjo.
A recent study conducted by the Aga Khan University’s East African Institute indicated that only 11 per cent of the youth in Kenya were willing to venture into farming.
Youth can earn higher incomes from small pieces of land through utilization of skills and capital to move into high-value forms of production and value addition.
“Our farmers don’t have to fall prey of brokers; we want to empower young farmers to embrace value addition to boost their livelihoods” said KLPA chairman Geoffrey Gikungu.
She urged the youth to form and register working groups to fastrack technology dissemination.
Markets for agribusiness products are booming thanks to proximity to the urban centres and improved road network.
“Youth need to make good use of technology and innovations available to venture into farming and produce since the market is available .” said Waiganjo.
Although the state has stepped up measures by setting aside 30 per cent of all public procurement for young people, many youth are yet to enjoy this opportunity.
Providing youth with low interest loans, she says, is a measure that will win back the youth to venture into agribusiness.
similarly,Kiambu county government has created several initiatives to provide young people with the capital needed to support and stimulate growth in the agribusiness sector including ‘Biashara Fund’.
Just like other youth initiated funds like Uwezo Fund and Youth and Women Enterprise Fund the biashara fund has not benefited many youth due lack of knowledge on its availability.
“We need the youth to form groups with very strong dynamics to increase their knowledge and muscle in acquiring loan facilities” added Waiganjo.
County policymakers, she concluded,” must redouble efforts to transform the agribusiness sector to make youth realize the importance of agriculture as an employment avenue.”
