Making Youth a Leading Force for Promoting Agri-Food Systems, A Case of Rural Nakuru, Kenya

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

Making Youth a Leading Force for Promoting Agri-Food Systems, A Case of Rural Nakuru, Kenya

John Mathenge King’au
Directorate of Research, Laikipia University, Kenya

Abstract: Food insecurity remains a significant issue, with the developing world and more so a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, which continues to pose a threat to the existence of millions of the inhabitants of the continent. The international community’s desire to create sustainable food systems in coming years will have long-lasting effects, not least for future generations. This paper review the implications of making youth a force in enhancing food systems. As the food systems discussions take off now and beyond, the enormous challenges of food security are intensifying. Thus, the youth’s future role in food systems is central in the transformation towards more sustainable and resilient food approaches. While it is recognized that youth have their own important roles to play in developing other systems, they also have a lot to give and gain through working with communities and applying their knowledge to local and global food challenges. Through youth empowerment and development of youth, as food systems change agents, they could become a leading force for positive change in their community and internationally. This paper present assessments of youth towards their engagement in food systems. The paper highlights a great number of initiatives shared by youth and institutions supporting them in agri-systems promotion. The paper argues that promotion of youth involvement in agri-enterprises has the catalytic effect of seeking solutions to food security issues. It concludes that improving agri-enterprises should be the main target of agrifood systems and remains an important source of employment and economic activity for Kenyan rural youth.

Keywords: Agri-food systems, food security, self-reliance projects, rural youth, livelihoods, agri-entrepreneurship, value chain

I.INTRODUCTION

70% of our global food requirement comes from over 500 million rural households around the world (FAO, 2014). And yet, farming is often associated with poverty as these farms usually operate on small scales (mainly for subsistence) and generate low revenues. Thus, it is not a surprise that youth are not attracted to agri-enterprises. But looking at the other side of the picture, there are many young people already involved in farming. By undertaking their daily tasks, they acquire knowledge and skills from their elderly family members and apply these techniques in their farming activities. They also bring agricultural technology and innovation into the farm enterprises and are often involved in management activities that require their educational knowledge (keeping accounts, communication with partners, etc.).
There is also another category of youth who are not directly involved in food and farming systems, but are developing information technology applications or offering

Read More