Challenges faced by youth engaging in agriculture. A study of peri-urban Kiambu in Kenya

Term Paper , 2016 , 34 Pages

Sociology - Children and Youth

The population of Kenya is a youthful one comprising about 78.31% aged below 34 years. Youth, however, has been declining to engage in agriculture. Notable is that agriculture is the main economic activity of Kenya. The sector has been recording a poor performance in the recent years and the continuous decline of youth engaging in agriculture may lead to a further setback. The effect will be a strain to the achievements of set government goals towards economic growth and development. Therefore, this study sought to assess challenges affecting youth engagement in agriculture in Kiambu County. Specifically, the study sought to find out; to what extent knowledge, land, attitude and credit affect youth’s engagement in agriculture.

The study was conducted in Limuru Sub County because of the issue of high land fragmentation. The study adopted a survey research design that was cross sectional in nature. It targeted a population of 10,633 youth. The researcher used proportionate sampling to sample 300 youths from the peri-urban population of the constituency. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to both female and male research subjects. Thereafter, quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer software version 11.5.

The data was presented in form of frequencies, means, pie chart bar graphs and standard deviation. Pearson’s r, correlation was used to determine the relationship between the variables whereas, qualitative data analysis was based on grounded theories and presented along emerging themes.

The study concluded that lack of land and a poor attitude towards agriculture were the major causes of non-engagement in agriculture. The study further concluded that agricultural knowledge led to an interest in agriculture engagement. It also found out that in peri- urban areas, because of availability of casual jobs and business opportunities, capital for agriculture was raised through personal and group savings more than borrowing from financial institutions. The study recommended reviving farmer cooperatives, extensive training focusing on importance of youth engagement in agriculture for families and frequent farm visits to demonstrate new farming techniques for youth. Further it recommended formation of structured financial groups by youth.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
• Objective of the Study
• Specific Objectives
• Theoretical Framework
• SITE DESCRIPTION AND METHODOLOGY
• Site Description
• Results and Discussions
• Demographic information
• Participants Knowledge on Agricultural Practices
• Land Access and youth engagement in agriculture
• Land Access
• Land Access and user Rights
• Decisions on Selling Land produce from family land
• SOURCES OF CAPITAL FOR FARMING
• Security for credit
• Challenges to accessing of credit
• Credit Access
• Attitude towards agriculture
• YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND NON-ENGAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE
• Responses of Engagement in agriculture
• Reasons for not engaging in agriculture.
• Conclusion
• Recommendations

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This study aims to assess the challenges faced by youth engaging in agriculture in peri-urban Kiambu County, Kenya. Specifically, the research investigates the impact of knowledge, land access, attitude, and credit availability on youth engagement in agriculture.

• The declining engagement of youth in agriculture despite its importance as a primary economic activity in Kenya.
• The impact of factors like knowledge, land access, attitude, and credit on youth participation in agriculture.
• The challenges faced by youth in accessing land and credit for agricultural purposes.
• The role of attitude and perception towards agriculture in influencing youth engagement.
• The potential impact of youth disengagement from agriculture on economic growth and food security.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter One provides an introduction to the study, outlining its objectives, theoretical framework, and the context of youth disengagement in agriculture. The chapter also discusses the importance of agriculture in Kenya's economy and the challenges faced by the sector. Chapter Two focuses on the site description and methodology used in the study. It details the study area, the population, and the research design adopted. The chapter also describes the data collection and analysis methods used. Chapter Three presents the results and discussions of the study. This chapter examines the demographic information of the participants, their knowledge of agricultural practices, land access and user rights, sources of capital for farming, and their attitudes towards agriculture. The chapter also explores the reasons behind youth engagement and non-engagement in agriculture.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This study focuses on the challenges faced by youth engaging in agriculture in peri-urban Kiambu County, Kenya. Key themes include youth disengagement in agriculture, land access, credit availability, attitude towards agriculture, agricultural knowledge, and the impact of these factors on economic growth and food security. The research examines the challenges faced by youth in accessing land and credit, the role of perception and attitude towards agriculture, and the potential consequences of youth disengagement from the sector.

• Course: Development Studies
• Authors: Michael Sitawa (Author), Emily Mugasia (Author), Andrew Songoro (Author)
• Publication Year: 2016
• Pages: 34
• Catalog Number: V343332
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668338265
• ISBN (Book): 9783668338272
• Language: English
• Tags: agriculture, Kenya, youths in agriculture, peri-urban Kiambu