In Africa, traditional agriculture is carried out majorly by adults. Most youths consider agriculture unattractive reportedly because of low returns, income instability and lack of a market-led approach, which are characteristic of African agriculture. In addition, the land ownership is such that most land is owned by adults, further limiting youth participation in agriculture.
The youth (12 to 24 years) in Sub-Saharan Africa are estimated at 200 million. Kenya’s youth population is 12.2 million, 35% of the nation’s total. The population reference bureau, 2009 projects that by 2015, the youth will form 75% of Kenya’s population. Their lack of participation in agriculture is therefore a growing concern since it threatens the future of African agriculture.

This calls for business models and strategic market-led approaches to sustainable youth re-integration in agriculture.  This will enable youth access agricultural income and consequently create stable rural alternatives which will curb the current rural-urban migration.

To achieve this, FCI is currently implementing the Youth in Agricultural Trade and Enterprises (YATE) project. It purposes to assess sustainable interventions that would create incentives for youth to participate in agriculture. Using existing business opportunities within FCI-facilitated market chains, the project will design, test and develop a business model to deepen and expand youth participation   in African agribusiness.
The project will expand youth participation in agriculture to include both production, skilled value addition, ICT in agriculture, marketing and consequently optimize youth capacity within the dynamic agri-markets.

Testing

The YATE Business Model ideally would be tested along highly dynamic market chains in which FCI programmes are implemented. The horticulture (fruits and vegetables) chain has been chosen because the products are perishable, seasonal and requires, proper quality control and supply chain management.