youth and agriculture: the kenyan overview directorate of planning_stephen jalenga
DESCRIPTION
Addressing the needs of rural youth is gathering attention with international development agencies, donors and private companies supporting new initiatives by governmental and non-governmental organizations in many parts of the world and in Africa in particular. Issues surrounding rural youths such as limited access to educational services, dependency on mainly unpaid labour in family farms and working in the informal sector as well as the considerable impact of migration on their livelihoods - especially affecting young women- have been widely recognized as significant. There is overall agreement that if youth issues are not addressed high rates of youth unemployment and under-employment will persist and overall development in African countries could be negatively affected. In this context and in line with its 2011 – 2015 Strategic Framework, The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with PROCASUR Africa, organized an eight day learning route on Innovative ideas and approaches to integrate Rural Youth in Agriculture. The progress in Kenya between the 11th to the 18th of August 2014. The aim of this Learning Route was to contribute to lesson-sharing and learning at country and regional level in order to build technical capacities within IFAD´s operations and partners in the ESA region on innovative strategies and approaches to engage rural youth in agriculture, increase employment and reduce poverty.TRANSCRIPT
OVERVIEW OF THE KENYA YOUTH SITUATION
STEPHEN JALENGADIRECTORATE OF YOUTH
MINISTRY OF DEVOLUTION AND PLANNING11th August 2014
Learning Route “Innovative ideas and approaches
to integrate Rural Youth in Agriculture”
Name: Republic of Kenya
Capital City-Nairobi
582,646 Square Kilometers
Population-41.8 million
42 different ethnic communities
Official languages: Kiswahili and
English
Has 47 Counties
290 constituencies
ABOUT US
AT THE COUNTIES
• Devolved County System• Governors, Senators(Members of
Senate), MPs(Members of Parliament) and MCAs-(Members of County Assemblies)
• National Government at the County level• County commissioners, Deputy County
Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs
ABOUT OUR AGRICULTURE
• Tea, Coffee, Flowers,
are grown for export.
• Maize, Rice, Sweet potatoes, Bananas Wheat for local consumption
• Sugar cane, pineapples Tropical fruits,
• Fish farming
• Livestock Rearing(local breeds and exotic breeds), including Cattle, sheep, goats, camels etc
• Chicken is a delicacy in many parts
BACKGROUND ON YOUTH
• The Kenya population is ‘young’.
• 75% of Kenya’s population is below 35 years of age.
• The youth (defined by the Constitution as between 18-35yrs) account for 30.3% of population.
• Total youth population- 16 million
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
• Youth account for 69% of total unemployed population aged 15-64yrs.
• Unemployment rate among youth – 12.7 %
• 90% of unemployed youth have no vocational skills or training
YOUTH AND AGRICULTURE
• Two-thirds of Kenyans
depend directly on agriculture for their living.
• Many young Kenyans struggle to find work, or only have low-paid jobs.
• This prolongs their dependency on their parents and fuels frustrations, which increases the likelihood of violence or conflict.
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, THE YOUTH ARE;
• Innovators: They bring talent and creativity
• Linking Agriculture and Technology
• Energetic and ambitious
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, THE YOUTH HAVE:
• Placed Kenya on the world map in sports.
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, THE YOUTH HAVE;
…Revolutionalized the arts (music, theater, film)
A Kenyan has won an Oscar this year!!
KENYAN YOUTH LEAP FORWARD
KENYA’S CURRENT FOCUS1. INCREASE LIVELIHOODS
AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH Promote entrepreneurship
in agriculture sector among youth
Identify, nurture and develop youth talents in agriculture starting from schools.
Increase Youth participation in Agricultural cooperatives and groups
KENYA’S CURRENT FOCUS CONT…
Promote participation of Rural young people in value chains, inter-farm linkages and job creation schemes
Increase access to business finance and financial services in the agriculture sector
Improve skills training and market linkages
KENYA’S CURRENT FOCUS CONT…
2. INCREASE SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH:
Engage youth in peace building, social cohesion and community service programmes
Formation of social movements – Youth SACCOs and empowerment groups.
Promote youth participation in leadership at all levels
BOLD STEPS TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH
• Constitution of Kenya-recognition of youth and obligations to the state.
• VISION 2030; youth as development actors under the Social Pillar
• The National Youth Policy (2007)
• Enactment of the National Youth Council Act, 2009.
BOLD STEPS CONT…..
Youth Enterprise Development Fund (KSH 6b revolving fund).
Women Enterprise Fund(KSH 3b revolving fund)
Youth training and skills development at the National Youth Service
BOLD STEPS CONT
• The Youth Enterprise Development Fund is now offering the Agri-Vijana loan targeting young people keen on undertaking agri-business and more specifically, Green house farming.
• A partnership with Amiran Kenya Ltd to support young farmers in acquiring green houses and global compliant agricultural inputs that present a shift from traditional farming methods to modernized ones.
BOLD STEPS CONT…..
30 % of public procurement (over Ksh 2b accessed)
Establishment of a capital fund (Uwezo) for youth(Ksh 6b revolving fund)
OUR COMMITMENT
Being positive towards young people;Securing strong national and
international networks;Mobilizing public and private sectors
towards youth agenda;Working in true partnership with the
youth;
…WE CAN BRING THE YOUTH TO THE CENTRE OF OUR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT…
THANK YOUENJOY THE FOODs
OF KENYA