Making agriculture 'cool' again: How to win the youth back into big farming

Passion fruits at a farm in Molo, Nakuru County. [File, Standard] Like the United States President Donald Trump's overreaching campaign slogan 'make America great again', there is a subtle narrative that the same can be applied to Kenya's agriculture sector, at least to make it attractive to the youth. The belief is that the younger generation is not attracted to the country's economic backbone due to the old-school farming methods that are not synonymous with what the agrarian revolution was envisioned to be. But if technology is fully integrated into agriculture, then tech-savvy youth can be attracted to the field, allowing them to make a living from the sector without necessarily soiling their hands. The latest Kenya Economic Report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (Kippra) notes that this can be achieved through the adoption of digital extension services. It says digital extension services have emerged as a transformative force in the country's agricultural sector, as highlighted in the Medium-Term Plan (MTP) IV and the Bottom-up Economic Transformational Agenda (Beta). The other reason for this strategy is that traditional extension services, characterised by face-to-face interactions, are not bearing fruit. "This traditional model has faced significant challenges due to limited resources and the vast geographical spread of rural farming communities," Kippra says in the Kenya Economic Report 2024. The report makes a case for innovative solutions to improve agricultural productivity, emphasising that digital extension services can bridge the gap left by conventional methods. By bridging the gap between research and practice, the report says, digital extension can promote adoption of new farming techniques and technologies, making agriculture more efficient and attractive. "Digital extension services have the potential to transform agriculture into a more attractive and dynamic sector for the youth by creating new opportunities for engagement, innovation, and employment," the report says. It adds that the rise of digital platforms necessitates a workforce that is tech-savvy in areas such as web design, application development, content creation, and customer support. Skilled web designers are crucial for creating user-friendly platforms and mobile applications that offer real-time data on crop management, weather patterns and market prices, empowering farmers to make friendly, informed decisions. On the other hand, content creators could produce educational materials to promote innovative farming practices and emerging technologies. "As agriculture becomes increasingly digitised, these roles not only provide direct employment but also position the youth as drivers of agricultural transformation, bridging the gap between traditional farming practices and modern technological solutions," the report says. According to the report, while agriculture plays a crucial role in job creation, both directly and indirectly, the dwindling number of traditional extension officers is drying up the information channel in the sector. The report records that at the moment, one extension officer serves 1,500 farmers, which is against the recommended ratio of one officer to 400 farmers, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). "Leveraging digital extension services is an alternative pathway not only to enhance agricultural productivity but also decent job creation, particularly for the youth as digital extension agents, app developers and data analysts," the report reads. Kippra is, however, cognisant of the fact that not all extension services can be digitised. It notes in the report that while there is agricultural information that can be disseminated through mobile apps, short message service (SMS), websites and mass media such as television and radio, certain traditional extension services may still require face-to-face interaction. "For example, hands-on training on new machinery, localised pest and disease diagnostics, artificial insemination and personalised financial consultations might be difficult to fully replicate through digital platforms," the report says. As such, a hybrid approach is suggested where digital extension interfaces with traditional methods. "Farmers can access general advice, weather forecasts, and market prices digitally, while extension officers continue to offer in-person support for complex, location-specific issues," the report says. The report documents that digital extension services can be used in these specific areas: production, marketing, financial, and input and machinery. It cites applications that provide crucial data and educational resources to dairy farmers. In marketing, platforms such as Kenya Agricultural Commodity Exchange and M-Kilimo have been cited as pivotal in connecting buyers and sellers. This is the same way the input and machinery platform would work. For finances, these platforms can assist farmers to access credit, savings, insurance and other vital financial information. The report sees adoption of digital extension services as a job creation strategy as well as beneficial to farmers. It argues that as farmers gain access to tailored information on crop management, market trends and best practices through these platforms, they are more likely to increase yield and improve the quality of their produce. "This heightened productivity not only leads to increased incomes for them but also stimulates demand for a range of services that support agricultural activities. For instance, as farmers produce more, there is a corresponding growth in the need for agro-input suppliers who provide seeds, fertilisers, and other essential materials," says the Kenya Economic Report. The report contends that enhanced productivity necessitates improved logistics and transportation services to efficiently move the goods to the market. "Consequently, sectors such as processing and marketing also see growth, as more products require handling and distribution, thereby creating job opportunities," the report says. Wage employment in the agriculture, fishing and forestry sectors stood at 351,000 in 2024, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey report. This is a growth from 344,300 in 2023. While agriculture has been touted as the country's economic backbone, the sector grew at 4.6 per cent in 2024, a drop compared to 6.6 per cent in 2023. "The growth was largely a result of varied weather patterns during the year; with long rains being above-average while the short rains were below average, leading to mixed performance of the various crops," the Economic Survey report says. Despite the fluctuating performance of the sector, agriculture contributes significantly to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), a figure that stood at 22.5 per cent in 2024.

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