Collateral, negative mindset locking youth out of farming

Sheila Wangui, a young organic farmer from Murang'a County. [Courtesy]

World Bank statistics say youth in Kenya account for 35.4 per cent of the population. Of these, a million enter the labour market every year.

Yet, very few enter into farming despite the enormous opportunities that lie within the sector. In Kenya, the average age of the farmer is said to be 60 years with the youth having little incentives to delve into agriculture.

According to the Kenya Youth Agribusiness Strategy document by the Ministry of Agriculture, archaic farming methods and a negative mindset toward those engaged in farming are key factors that drive the youth away from agriculture.