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RE: Youth in agriculture: what lessons can we draw from evaluations?

James Githuku

Kenya

James Githuku

Lead, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning for 1000 Landscapes for One Billion People

Rainforest Alliance

Posted on 04/11/2019

Dorothy,

See below links with useful insights

https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JCSD/article/viewFile/22759/22…

https://graduatefarmer.co.ke/2016/03/17/why-youth-in-kenya-are-not-embr…

However, the narrative that youth are not interested in agriculture is often negated by evidence on the ground. When the enterprise/node is profitable, youth do participate albeit amid peculiar challenges. Youth will not engage in agriculture for subsistence or food security reasons. Solving the challenges without addressing the agriculture landscape especially the markets may not un-lock participation.

To inform the debate better:

  • The 'youth' need to be unpacked. Fresh 'graduates' may have different outlook from those with few years post graduation.
  • Evaluation/assessment for evidence on the 'agriculture' that youth engage in: what are the critical incentives for 'youth' to engage in agriculture
  • Test the narrative that youth are not 'interested' in agriculture

Regards,

James.