The population of Kenya is a youthful one comprising about 78.31% aged below 34 years. Youth, however, has been declining to engage in agriculture. Notable is that agriculture is the main economic activity of Kenya. The sector has been recording a poor performance in the recent years and the continuous decline of youth engaging in agriculture may lead to a further setback. The effect will be a strain to the achievements of set government goals towards economic growth and development. Therefore, this study sought to assess challenges affecting youth engagement in agriculture in Kiambu County. Specifically, the study sought to find out; to what extent knowledge, land, attitude and credit affect youth’s engagement in agriculture.
The study was conducted in Limuru Sub County because of the issue of high land fragmentation. The study adopted a survey research design that was cross sectional in nature. It targeted a population of 10,633 youth. The researcher used proportionate sampling to sample 300 youths from the peri-urban population of the constituency. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to both female and male research subjects. Thereafter, quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer software version 11.5.
The data was presented in form of frequencies, means, pie chart bar graphs and standard deviation. Pearson’s r, correlation was used to determine the relationship between the variables whereas, qualitative data analysis was based on grounded theories and presented along emerging themes.
The study concluded that lack of land and a poor attitude towards agriculture were the major causes of non-engagement in agriculture. The study further concluded that agricultural knowledge led to an interest in agriculture engagement. It also found out that in peri- urban areas, because of availability of casual jobs and business opportunities, capital for agriculture was raised through personal and group savings more than borrowing from financial institutions. The study recommended reviving farmer cooperatives, extensive training focusing on importance of youth engagement in agriculture for families and frequent farm visits to demonstrate new farming techniques for youth. Further it recommended formation of structured financial groups by youth.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Objective of the Study
Specific Objectives
Theoretical Framework
SITE DESCRIPTION AND METHODOLOGY
Site Description
Results and Discussions
Demographic information
Participants Knowledge on Agricultural Practices
Land Access and youth engagement in agriculture
Land Access
Land Access and user Rights
Decisions on Selling Land produce from family land
SOURCES OF CAPITAL FOR FARMING
Security for credit
Challenges to accessing of credit
Credit Access
Attitude towards agriculture
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND NON-ENGAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE
Responses of Engagement in agriculture
Reasons for not engaging in agriculture.
Conclusion
Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to assess the specific challenges encountered by the youth in Kiambu County, Kenya, regarding their engagement in agricultural activities, exploring how various socio-economic factors influence their participation in this vital economic sector.
- The impact of agricultural knowledge and awareness on youth involvement.
- The role of land access and ownership rights in agricultural productivity.
- Financial challenges, including credit accessibility and capital formation strategies.
- The perception and attitude of the youth toward agriculture as a career and income source.
Excerpt from the Book
Land Access and user Rights
According to the study, a majority of youth, (75.4%) do not own land on which they practice agriculture. This majority, access family and hired land among other arrangements. Participants reported that the choice to hire land was because of the small sizes which are shared among many family members. Others reported that family land had been subdivided into plots and they are left with no other choice but to hire. This results are similar to that of Thou (2010) who conclude that the conversion of land is creating more obstacles for residents to practice agriculture and has greatly affected the people in peri-urban areas.
A key informant stated that;
“Youth who do not own land can hire. Some youth have land but they do not want agriculture, on the other hand some want to engage in agriculture but they lack access. For example in a place like Ngarariga, most of the land is subdivided into plots and therefore youth do not have a place to farm. But generally land is not a big challenge because youth can hire in other places like in Narok where there are large pieces of land”.
Hiring land is an option by few youth; however, it has limitations for the reason that youth are hindered from engaging in long term development. For example, youth are unable to engage in intensive agriculture which involves construction of farm structures necessary for effective practice. Consequently, this affects them in other ways such as qualifying for financial assistance from formal financial institutions where loan security is mandatory.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter contextualizes the global and local decline of youth in agriculture, establishing the research background, specific objectives, and the theoretical framework governing youth career choices.
SITE DESCRIPTION AND METHODOLOGY: This section details the geographical study area in Limuru Sub County, the research design adopted, sampling techniques for the 300 participants, and the methods used for data collection and analysis.
SOURCES OF CAPITAL FOR FARMING: This chapter analyzes how youth obtain start-up and operational capital, highlighting the reliance on personal savings and group initiatives over formal banking facilities.
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND NON-ENGAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE: This section synthesizes the findings regarding why youth participate or abstain from farming, identifying major barriers such as land scarcity and negative perceptions of the sector.
Keywords
Youth, Agriculture, Kiambu County, Land access, Agricultural knowledge, Credit accessibility, Rational choice theory, Migration, Food security, Unemployment, Farm labor, Rural-urban migration, Socio-economic development, Farming practices, Peri-urban.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research study?
The study examines the challenges that hinder young people in peri-urban Kiambu, Kenya, from participating in agricultural activities, despite agriculture being a key economic driver for the nation.
What are the main thematic areas investigated in the research?
The research focuses on four key areas: the impact of agricultural knowledge, the difficulties in accessing land, the challenges of obtaining credit for farming, and the general attitudes of youth toward agriculture.
What is the core research question or objective?
The primary objective is to determine how knowledge, land access, financial credit, and attitudes influence the participation of youth in agriculture within the Kiambu County region.
Which scientific methodology was utilized for this study?
The study employed a descriptive survey research design using a mixed-methods approach. It gathered quantitative data from 300 respondents via questionnaires and qualitative data through key informant interviews.
What key topics are addressed in the main body of the work?
The body of the work covers site-specific demographics, the correlation between agricultural knowledge and engagement, detailed analyses of land access and user rights, capital formation through savings groups, and the reasons cited for non-engagement.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Essential keywords include Youth, Agriculture, Land access, Credit accessibility, Kiambu County, Food security, and Socio-economic development.
Why is land fragmentation a specific issue in the Limuru Sub County?
Land fragmentation is driven by rapid urban expansion from nearby towns and Nairobi, causing agricultural land to be converted into residential and commercial plots, which limits availability for farming.
How does the rational choice theory explain youth behavior in this context?
The theory suggests that youth make calculated decisions about their careers based on perceived rewards; since they view agriculture as low-rewarding and stressful compared to urban jobs, they rationally choose to avoid it.
What is the significance of "user-rights" versus "ownership" in this study?
While many youth have access to land through family user-rights, they lack official titles, which prevents them from using the land as collateral for formal bank loans, thereby limiting their capacity for investment.
What solution does the study propose for the financial challenges of youth farmers?
The study suggests that youth form structured financial cooperatives and group savings mechanisms, as formal financial institutions have high interest rates and rigid requirements that many youth cannot meet.
- Citation du texte
- Michael Sitawa (Auteur), Emily Mugasia (Auteur), Andrew Songoro (Auteur), 2016, Challenges faced by youth engaging in agriculture. A study of peri-urban Kiambu in Kenya, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/343332
