Kenya is creating new pathways for young people to gain hands-on experience in global agriculture, aiming to turn the country’s youthful population into a driving force for innovation and growth in the sector.
Through an overseas internship program, participants will learn advanced farming practices, business management, and climate-smart techniques to strengthen agriculture both locally and internationally.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe introduced the initiative during the 49th Session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), emphasizing that youth should be embraced as a resource rather than a burden.
“Kenya is fortunate to have a strong youth population dividend. For too long, we have viewed our young people as a challenge. But youth is not a problem to manage; youth is an opportunity to unlock, and agriculture is where that opportunity lies,” Kagwe said.
The scheme will allow Kenyan agricultural students to spend six months abroad in countries experiencing workforce shortages and ageing populations, including the United Kingdom and selected European nations.
During their internships, they will gain exposure to modern mechanisation, value addition, agribusiness systems, and environmentally friendly farming practices.
Participants are expected to return and use their knowledge to enhance productivity and commercial farming ventures in Kenya. A number of them may also be recruited abroad, where labor demands exist, providing both professional growth and a platform for international collaboration.
In a bilateral meeting with a UK delegation led by Ruth Davis and Ambassador Evelyn Ashton, the UK acknowledged its ageing workforce and expressed readiness to expand structured agricultural partnerships with Kenya.
Locally, the government is reshaping agriculture into a youth-driven, market-oriented sector. Youth training centers, leasing of idle public land, and the Land Commercialisation Initiative are helping young farmers improve yields, boost quality, and add value to their products.
“Produce for markets. Add value. Increase productivity per acre. Strengthen farmer incomes,” Kagwe said.
By combining local energy with global opportunities, Kenya aims to convert its demographic advantage into a sustainable engine for economic growth and development.
