Factors influencing youth participation in agriculture in Kenya
Date
2025
Authors
Ng'alu, C. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore Univerisity
Abstract
The extent of youth involvement in agriculture in Kenya has been minimal. For instance, the statistical data highlights a troubling trend in Kenya, where youth participation in the agriculture sector is notably low, with only 10-15% actively involved. Therefore, this study was designed to examine and analyze the factors influencing youth participation in agriculture in Kenya. The study is guided by four objectives i.e., to identify the influence of perception of career in agriculture on participation by the youth in Kenya; to examine the influence of youth access to agricultural information on participation in agriculture to assess the influence of social-capital networks on participation in agriculture and to analyze the impact of economic factors on participation in agriculture by the youth in Kenya. This study is based on insights of the push–Pull Theory and the Theory of planned behavior to develop the arguments for the main relationships hypothesized. A descriptive survey design was used in the study. The study collected data from the registered Strathmore alumni youth. The research employed quantitative research data. The quantitative data was obtained using questionnaires. The descriptive statistics used by the study were mean, percentages and frequencies whereas correlation and regression analysis were the inferential statistics which the study adopted. Descriptive statistics provide an account of how the respondents responded to statements in the questionnaires using percentage, frequency, and mean response. The research utilized a binary planning model to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. It found that a considerable number of respondents were male, with the rest being female. Most participants were aged 25 to 35, while others were between 20 and 24, and a smaller group was aged 18 to 19. The results showed that the majority had completed primary education, followed by secondary school graduates, with equal numbers holding diplomas and degrees. In the regression analysis, with independent variables such as perception of a career in agriculture, youth access to agriculture information, social capital networks, and economic factors set to zero, participation in agriculture was recorded at 6.856. The data analyzed also showed that taking all other independent variables at zero, a unit increase in perception of career in agriculture, social capital networks, youths’ access to agriculture information and economic factors would lead to a decrease in participation in agriculture. The study concludes that the variables under investigation have significant influences on the decision to participate in agriculture. Access to agriculture information impacts sector participation. Recently, youth engagement in agriculture has increased, due to strong social capital networks. Additionally, current economic conditions present Kenyan youth with significant opportunities to actively engage in agriculture. The study recommends that stimulating youth involvement in agriculture necessitates a holistic policy package involving all stakeholders in the country, especially the youth who are currently under-represented. The country must actively engage the youth in the development of food systems and link any efforts with those aimed at achieving Sustainable development goals. The government also plays a key part in stimulating agriculture value creation by organizing more agricultural seminars and promoting benefit maximizing opportunities to those lacking the necessary skills to create value within the agriculture chain. The government engages the youth through agricultural extension programs organized through a self-help group framework that would see joint efforts at agriculture value creation, reduce risk and encourage diversification. They also call on the government to streamline financial regulations to increase the sector’s development.
Key words: Perception of career in agriculture, youths’ access to agriculture information, social capital networks and economic factors.
Description
Full - text thesis
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Citation
Ng’alu, C. M. (2025). Factors influencing youth participation in agriculture in Kenya [Strathmore Univerisity]. http://hdl.handle.net/11071/15756