Kirinyaga: Agricultural stakeholders from Kirinyaga county are targeting to increase the number of youths engaging in farming as a strategy to bolster employment and boost the county's economy. The sector leaders have raised concerns over the sustainability of agricultural production due to the low involvement of young people in farming, despite agriculture being a major source of employment and a backbone of Kenya's economy.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Director of Mazao Afya, Peter Karanja, emphasized the pressing issue of the aging farmer population, with the average age being around 60 years. Karanja warned of a potential decline in agricultural output if this trend continues without the emergence of a younger, prepared generation to take over. During a farmer training session at Agitech farm in Mutithi Mwea, Karanja urged the government to develop initiatives that would encourage young Kenyans to engage in farming, particularly by leveraging technology to maximize returns.
Karanja stated, "What we are trying to say here is that farming is actually endangered in the current status because the people who are actually doing farming currently are people aged over 60. This is not a very good scenario because once this particular group leaves or exits the farming space, we might have a big problem. And that is why we are very keen and deliberate to bring in the youth so that they can acknowledge agriculture is a business enterprise nowadays."
The upcoming Agri Tech Expo 2025, themed 'Guarding the Future of Agribusiness through Youth Inclusion, Financial Empowerment, Technology and Sustainability,' aims to educate farmers, particularly the youth, on adopting technology in farming and viewing it as a serious business to enhance agricultural production.
Muriithi Mwai, Chairperson of the Agri Tech Expo 2025, stated that they aim to engage the youth, who are a significant segment of society. The youth are seen as more energetic, tech-savvy, and equipped with the latest information, which is crucial in modern agriculture. Mwai highlighted the advantages of embracing technology, such as reducing production costs, minimizing chemical wastage, and optimizing input use.
Mwai pointed out the role of technology in irrigation to reduce water wastage and labor costs. Additionally, precise fertilizer application would ensure optimal usage. Eliud Mwangi, a young farmer, encouraged his peers to consider agribusiness as a rewarding and profitable alternative to traditional white-collar jobs.