Waithood & restricted futures:
using ICT to attract and retain
youth to farming in Western
Kenya
Konrad Plechowski, MSc
‘Economic Development’ Sector Coordinator IICD
kplechowski@iicd.org
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
The importance of attracting youth into farming
“Growth of the agriculture
sector in developing
countries is one of the
most effective
mechanisms to alleviate
poverty.” UN 2010
“Feeding a global
population in 2050 will
require a 70% increase in
global food production.
This will require that
agriculture – particularly
smallholder agriculture –
plays a much more
effective role.” IFAD 2011
“23% of the working poor are young people
and the majority of these poor youth live in
rural areas.
Because of limited job prospects, many young
people leave rural areas to seek employment
opportunities elsewhere.” ILO 2012
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
Smallholder farming – realities and associations
Poor farm
practices
Lack of training
Low productivity
Gender
inequalities
Vulnerable to
environmental
and economic
shocks
Low income
Intensive labour
Financial risks
Lack of access to
the inputs,
services, credit
and markets
Intense
competition from
sophisticated
multinationals
High transaction
costs
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
Potential of ICTs for activating young farmers
“With the right conditions smallholders can be at the forefront of a
transformation in the world’s agriculture” UNEP 2013
Youth
ICTs
Access to markets and information
regarding market price and demand
Propensity for taking higher
entrepreneurial risks
Access to extension information, geodata (weather, soil), and information
regarding agricultural inputs
Capacity to innovate
Affinity for using ICTs
Access to finance and financial
information
Management, administration and
planning of the farmer organizations
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
IICD’s Economic Development program in Kenya
A Youth’s ICT-enabled journey
into profitable farming
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTDvQT_Kenw&feature=youtu.be
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
IICD’s Economic Development program in Kenya
A Youth’s ICT-enabled journey
A Youth’s ICT-enabled journey
beyond waithood and restricted
into profitable farming
futures
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
Beyond waithood and restricted futures in Kenya
Social
context
• Personal
motivations
• Social
structures
Stronger social
position
internally and
externally
• Strong urban
demand
Economy
context
ICT
context
High quality
services of FOs
• Structural
basis for
farming-asbusiness
• Ability
• Affordability
Enhanced
youth’s
productivity
Enhanced
youth’s
negotiation
positions &
sales volumes
• Capacity
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
Expansion of
smallholder
businesses
Personal motivations and drivers
Basic Literacy
Self-confidence
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
Stronger social position internally and externally
Private sector
Family
Community
Government’s
Extension
Workers
Farmer
Organizations
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
ICT – IICD’s integrated capacity building
IICD,
Farmer
Organizations,
Local:
ICT providers,
ICT advisors,
Agricultural
experts
Coaching,
Coaching,
guidance, and
training (Basic and
guidance,
applied ICT skills)
and training
ICTs for market
price info
(mobile & online
platforms)
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
ICTs for enhancing
productivity
(multimedia, radio,
mobiles, Interactive
Voice Response)
ICTs for
management
(farmers, FOs)
Youth in IICD’s Economic Development program
Young Entrepreneurs
and Digital Skills –
Ghana
Promoting Agroecological farming –
Peru
Integrating ICTs in
vocational training –
Kenya & Zambia
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
Q&A
Konrad Plechowski, MSc
‘Economic Development’ Sector Coordinator IICD
kplechowski@iicd.org
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014
Thank you.
Konrad Plechowski, MSc
‘Economic Development’ Sector Coordinator IICD
kplechowski@iicd.org
IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014