Unfavorable weather conditions,cost of inputs and foreign exchange fluctuations are shocks common to the Kenyan agricultural sector. That stated, experts now contend that the stage is set for a new jolt: ‘the greying farmer’. Consider these variables:
1: Agriculture directly contributes 24% of Kenya's GDP and 27% of GDP indirectly through linkages with manufacturing, distribution and other service related sectors while
2: The average age of the Kenyan farmer is 60 years old. Compare that to Brazil which shares a similar small scale holder profile has an average age of 42, while US where large scale farmers dominate, the average age is at 57 years old.
3: On the contrary, Kenya is a youthful nation with approximately 78 percent of the population under the age of 35.
Economics aside, it is clear there is an imbalance in these socio-economic variables that should be working together in a transformational growth equation.Based on the budget estimates released by The Treasury in June 2017, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries’ budgeted expenditure for 2017/2018 is approximately 23% of the national government budget. One would then question if the allocation is sufficient to propel the sector forward.
That aside, of greater interest is the actual expenditure plan and how it will be geared to implement two action points in the Jubilee Government’s 5-point Action Plan ‘strengthening/modernizing agriculture and providing jobs for youth’. The two action points speak directly to the imbalance highlighted. So what is the plague behind agriculture’s low attractiveness index? Why do youth not envision their future as an agripreneurs?
Access to land is a major constraint. Even with land leasing mechanism, some youth are excluded by land owners who prefer more experienced farmers. Land banks - designated land for agriculture with the government, the private sector or a public private partnership putting in place infrastructure, irrigation systems, auxillary and extension services, could be a solution.
A road trip across the country cements the fact that Kenya has vast tracts of idle land. Agri-research institutes can map out crop suitability at Ward level. Much closer home, the Governor of Kakamega County, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya recently welcomed agriculture investors to his county and promised "a friendly environment"; food for thought.
There is no unequivocal evidence for or against the low returns issue. Kenya’s agriculture sector is currently a tale of mixed fortunes with cases of frustrated farmers uprooting crops in desperation while other ‘agri-preneurs’ enjoy high returns from their investments.
I strongly believe this disparity arises from lack of adoption of innovations and technologies as well as the lack of information. Our ancestors tilled the earth with ox ploughs and hoes. All valid methods, but we have moved to the 21st century of Play-stations. The need to practice controlled-environment agriculture should be everyday's preaching. Greenhouse farming is lucrative with good tidings; this also applies to open field sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation and large scale farrow irrigation.
Our farming techniques need to evolve to attract better returns and youth participation. Further, our farmers need information to encourage adoption, more so in the current changing environment. The vision of innovation, mechanization, and technology propagation needs to consider the reality on the ground and that is where the high capital variable comes into play. Taking into consideration that most Kenyan farmers are small scale holders, it may not make economic sense to invest in some of the mechanization technologies available.
Access to mechanisation and innovations is critical, young farmer or not. What avenues is the Government crafting to ensure access? Farm equipment pooling facilities may provide access and reduce the high capital demand. Historically, agriculture has been perceived as ‘hard and dirty’ work.
In today’s world as highlighted by our very own Kakamega County Think Tanks' marketing quote, “image is not everything, it is the only thing”. Though an extreme statement, it captures the need to re-brand the sector’s image.
Agriculture is more than toiling in the fields; with innovation, there are some awe inspiring farming technologies like hydroponics.
Further, agriculture extends into agro-processing and agro-technology. After all, value addition and agro-enabling businesses are required to infuse innovation and higher revenues into the sector.
We are not relegating our youth to primary production; we are coxing them to venture into the whole spectrum of the agri value chain. We hear of banking, business awards and the likes, where are the agriculture awards to motivate players into the sector; best agriculture innovation, best agri-business.
Bring the pomp and funk into this space! In summary, we have 40 per cent of the population out of work (even higher among the youth). We are not yet food sufficient, relying on imports to cover the deficit. We have a population growing by close to a million people a year.
Even as we diversify to cushion our vulnerable economy, we cannot afford to ignore this sector that has the potential to reduce poverty, youth unemployment and boost our economic growth. Youth are integral stakeholders, with innovative and risk-taking attributes they are best placed to act as transformative agents and reshape the sector.
Dear national and Local government representative, as you draft your expenditure plans for the sector, consider how you can make agriculture appeal to generation X.
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