Nyeri County has launched an innovative project aimed at encouraging young people to embrace agriculture as a viable and profitable career. In partnership with the Council of Governors, One Acre Fund, and the Mastercard Foundation, the initiative is designed to reshape agricultural practices in Kenya, particularly among the youth. This initiative, dubbed “Reshaping Kenyan Agriculture for Dignified Youth Livelihoods,” is focused on onboarding over 3,500 young people in Nyeri County alone, with a broader goal of reaching nearly 300,000 youth across 34 other counties. Nyeri is the first county to roll out the project, which follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Council of Governors and One Acre Fund aimed at enhancing sustainable agricultural practices and rural development.
The project seeks to address some of the key barriers that prevent youth from engaging in agriculture, including limited access to capital, lack of opportunities in the agricultural value chain, and challenges related to land availability. The partners involved in the initiative plan to use modern technologies to make agriculture more appealing to young people, promoting high-value crops and helping youth access better markets for their produce. One Acre Fund’s strategy includes providing high-value seeds, such as tomatoes, and emphasizing aggregation to bring produce to market, ensuring that young farmers receive higher prices for their crops. This approach seeks to create an attractive, profitable path for youth to enter the agricultural sector.
Another crucial component of the project is the focus on innovation and modern farming techniques. The aim is to shift the perception of agriculture from a traditional, labor-intensive practice to a more dynamic and profitable business. By incorporating technology, the initiative hopes to inspire young people to view farming as a legitimate career with long-term potential. Digital tools and modern farming methods are being introduced to streamline production processes and enhance farm productivity, making it easier for youth to manage their farms effectively.
A key challenge facing the youth in agriculture is the limited access to land, which often discourages them from pursuing farming. To address this, the project is exploring alternative solutions such as land leasing arrangements. County governments are also encouraged to engage with young people to explore opportunities for land access, and the program advocates for parents to consider leasing land to their children as a means of supporting their agricultural ventures. By providing flexible options, the project aims to overcome one of the biggest hurdles to youth participation in agriculture.
In addition to land access, the project focuses on creating opportunities for young people to enter various parts of the agricultural value chain beyond farming itself. Youth can engage in activities such as value addition, processing, or distribution, diversifying their roles and income opportunities within the sector. This approach broadens the scope for youth involvement in agriculture, allowing them to participate at different levels of the production and supply process.
Nyeri County’s government has expressed strong support for the project, recognizing its potential to diversify the county’s agricultural output. Governor Mutahi Kahiga emphasized that the initiative would not only provide youth with income-generating opportunities but also reduce the county’s reliance on traditional crops like coffee and tea. These crops are not as attractive to young people, who often seek faster returns. By promoting the cultivation of other high-value crops, the project aims to create more dynamic agricultural systems in the region, offering a broader range of options for young farmers.
Governor Kahiga also highlighted the role of county agriculture officers in supporting the initiative. They will provide extension services to guide the youth and ensure they receive the necessary training and resources to succeed in agriculture. The project aligns with the county’s broader agricultural strategy, aiming to create a more diverse and sustainable agricultural economy while addressing the challenges faced by young people.
The initiative also recognizes the need to adapt agriculture to the preferences of the youth, who often seek quick returns from their investments. By focusing on high-value crops and modern agricultural practices, the project aims to meet these expectations and encourage more young people to take an active role in the sector. With the support of various stakeholders, this project has the potential to transform the agricultural landscape in Nyeri and across the country, creating a sustainable future for the next generation of farmers.
