Nakuru County National Agriculture and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) Coordinator Njoroge Githunguri has called on the youth to embrace agriculture as an alternative source of income.
Githunguri argues that agriculture presents the biggest opportunity for creation of employment to absorb the youth and enhance food security in the Country.
He said through Theatre and arts youths can use the platform to reach a wider number of young people and change perceptions about farming.
Githunguri said Kenyan youth can exploit information technology for various value-addition ventures in agri-business.
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He was addressing representatives of 35 youth groups in the performing arts sub sector in Nakuru who underwent participatory theatre training organized by NARIGP in collaboration with the County Government.
The youth groups are anticipated to reach out to 24,000 youth with advocacy messages on the need to adopt and practice viable agribusiness practices in bee keeping, poultry, dairy and Irish potato farming.
Head of Participatory Education Theatre at NARIGP Susan Njeri said creative and sustainable ways must be initiated to present the youth with the career progression currently lacking in agriculture.
She says as Kenya’s population continues to grow, the Country can only harness the demographic dividend by creating a huge working-class youth base.
In a country where youth unemployment is at a record high, experts now say a change of perspective to Agriculture among the youth who comprise 60 per cent of its population is much needed.
The World Bank funded four year program is offering grants to viable agribusiness enterprises in apiculture, Irish Potato, poultry and Dairy value chains in 22 wards and five sub counties in Nakuru County.
According to the World Bank one million young people join the work force in Kenya every year, which means that Kenya needs a million new jobs every year for the next 10 years to keep up with the rapidly-expanding youth bulge.
Of these young people, only about one in five is likely to find a formal job, while the rest remain unemployed.
The project seeks to increase agricultural productivity and improve food security in 420 wards within devolved units.
The project is targeting 360,000 people in Turkana, Makueni, Meru, Kitui, Embu, Kilifi, Kwale and Narok. Others are Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Homa Bay and Bungoma.
Under the project Nakuru County has been able to fund 8 Community Driven Development Committees (CDDCs) 217 micro project proposals to a tune of Ksh 9,564,920 from the World Bank.
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