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Kenya is seeking to turn its large youth population into a competitive asset in global agriculture, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has said.
Addressing the 49th Session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Kagwe described the country’s youthful demographic not as a burden, but as a significant advantage at a time when countries such as the United Kingdom and parts of Europe are grappling with ageing populations and declining labour forces.
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“Kenya is privileged to have a vibrant youth dividend. For years, we have framed our young people as a challenge, yet they represent immense potential — especially in agriculture,” Kagwe noted.
To tap into this potential, he proposed structured six-month agricultural internship exchange programmes with countries facing demographic decline. The initiative would enable Kenyan agriculture students to gain practical exposure abroad in areas such as mechanisation, climate-smart farming, value addition and agribusiness management.
On returning home, the interns would help drive commercial farming under Kenya’s Land Commercialisation Initiative. Kagwe added that while many participants would return to apply their skills locally, some could also secure employment in host countries experiencing labour shortages.
In bilateral talks with a UK delegation led by Ruth Davis and UK Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to UN agencies in Rome, Evelyn Ashton, the issue of the UK’s ageing workforce was acknowledged. The delegation termed Kenya’s proposal timely and mutually beneficial, indicating openness to deeper collaboration.
At the same time, the government is working to shift agriculture from subsistence farming — largely dominated by older farmers — into a modern, market-driven sector. Through industry-focused training in agricultural institutions, global benchmarking, the establishment of a Youth Hub within the Ministry, and leasing underutilised public land, young agripreneurs are being connected to land and commercial opportunities.
“The focus is clear: farm for the market, add value, boost productivity per acre, and grow farmers’ incomes,” Kagwe said.
Early results show improvements in quality standards, yields and market access as more young people enter the sector.
The IFAD delegation, which included Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke and the Principal Secretary for Water, underscored the need to align agriculture, livestock, water resources and youth empowerment to enhance food security and economic resilience.
Kagwe concluded by stressing the broader impact of youth-led agricultural transformation.
“When young people earn a living from agriculture, we tackle hunger, restore dignity and reinforce national stability. Food security is not only about production — it is about creating opportunity,” he said.
The proposed international internships, alongside domestic reforms aimed at commercialising agriculture, signal a strategic shift. Kenya is positioning its youth as a catalyst for transforming agriculture at home while helping to fill workforce gaps in ageing economies abroad.
