Kenya’s youth, a demographic brimming with energy and innovation, are being urged to look to their country’s fertile grounds for opportunity. Far from the dusty stereotype, agriculture is undergoing a transformation, and it’s young Kenyans who are being positioned as the future stewards.
“There are many opportunities available in the agricultural sector,” said Farida Juma, Skill Up Programme Manager at Welt Hunger Hilfe [WHH], in a recent address at the Latia Agripreneurship Institute. “We need to change the perception of the youth on agriculture to tackle unemployment. The Skill Up programme gives young people the chance to generate their own income.”
The call to action is clear. Kenya faces a growing youth population grappling with unemployment. But with agriculture being the backbone of the economy, experts see a golden opportunity waiting to be tapped.
Charles Macharia, Managing Director of Latia Agri-business Solutions, echoes this sentiment. “There are enormous untapped opportunities in agriculture which the unemployed youth could take advantage of to eke a living and improve their livelihoods,” he argues. Macharia emphasizes the shift away from traditional practices, urging the youth to embrace “agribusiness” – a modern approach that integrates business principles into agriculture.
Success stories are already blossoming. Kelvin Wandera, a young farmer from Kibiko, exemplifies the potential. After receiving training at Latia, Wandera embraced sustainable practices and now boasts a thriving farm producing capsicum, tomatoes, and cucumbers. “The training has enabled me to produce safe products for consumption,” he says, “and I have a ready market for my crops.” Wandera’s story is a beacon of hope, a testament to the potential that agribusiness holds for Kenya’s youth.
The path forward isn’t without its challenges. Equipping young people with the necessary skills and knowledge is crucial. Additionally, ensuring access to credit, markets, and modern technologies will be essential for their ventures to flourish.
But the potential rewards are undeniable. By embracing agribusiness, Kenya’s youth can not only secure their own futures but also become catalysts for growth, tackling unemployment and ensuring food security for the nation. As Kenya cultivates its agricultural future, it’s the young people who will be wielding the seeds of change