Youth, ICTs and Agriculture

Summary

In Kenya, ICT projects for young farmers are transforming agriculture, making it more attractive and profitable. With training in ICT tools, youth are gaining access to market information, new farming techniques, and financing opportunities. As a result, farming is evolving from a labor-intensive task to a profitable business. The young farmers use their digital skills to enhance negotiations, improve farming practices, and increase yields. As success stories spread, these farmers inspire others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect in rural communities and contributing to the future viability of agriculture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Small holdings in developing countries have long been associated with low productivity, poor farming practices, and low income.
• 😀 ICT is playing a significant role in attracting young farmers to agriculture by enhancing access to market information, production techniques, and financing.
• 😀 ICT has transformed farming from a back-breaking, poorly paid task to a profitable and rewarding business.
• 😀 Young farmers in Kenya are utilizing ICT to improve farming profitability by acquiring skills in market information, pest control, and new farming technologies.
• 😀 ICT training centers teach young farmers to use equipment and software that address local farming challenges.
• 😀 With ICT skills, young farmers are able to negotiate better market prices, track crops in demand, and improve their farming operations.
• 😀 Social media, like Facebook, helps young farmers connect and share valuable farming information within their communities.
• 😀 ICT adoption has increased the income and social status of young farmers, motivating others to follow their lead.
• 😀 ICT-skilled youths are becoming role models, influencing both their families and the broader community to engage in farming.
• 😀 Equipping future farmers with the right tools and ICT skills is essential for tackling rural poverty and generating employment in the agricultural sector.

Q & A

What challenges have small holdings in developing countries traditionally faced?

Small holdings in developing countries have long been associated with poor farming practices, intensive labor, low productivity, and low income, making the sector unattractive to new generations of farmers.

How can ICT help in attracting youth into agriculture?

ICT can enhance access to market information, production techniques, new technologies, and financing opportunities, which can make farming a more profitable and rewarding business, thereby attracting youth into agriculture.

What transformation have young farmers experienced through the use of ICT in Kenya?

Young farmers in Kenya have shifted their perspective on farming, moving from seeing it as a back-breaking, poorly paid labor-intensive task to recognizing it as a solid and profitable source of income.

How does ICT training support young farmers?

Young farmers receive training in ICT centers, where they learn to use ICT equipment and software tailored to address local farming challenges. This helps them improve farm management and increase profitability.

What benefits do young farmers gain from accessing market price information through ICT?

By accessing reliable market price information through ICT, young farmers gain better negotiation power and improve their position in relation to local traders, businesses, and key value chain players.

How does digital competence help young farmers in their farming activities?

Digital competence allows young farmers to keep accurate records, identify crops in high demand, access pest control information, and discover new farming practices and technologies that improve productivity.

What role does social media play in the development of young farmers' knowledge and networks?

Social media platforms, like Facebook, allow young farmers to connect with peers, exchange information, and learn from others in their region, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

What motivates young farmers to continue applying ICT in their farming activities?

The return on investment from applying ICT skills, such as higher yields and income, motivates young farmers to continue using technology in their farming activities. It also increases their social status and business opportunities.

How has the introduction of ICT changed attitudes towards farming?

The introduction of ICT has shifted attitudes, making farming more appealing, especially to educated youths who now see it as a viable career, rather than a job only for those without education.

What impact does the success of ICT-skilled youth farmers have on the broader community?

The success of ICT-skilled youth farmers serves as a source of inspiration for other community members, young and old, encouraging them to adopt ICT and improve their farming practices, which helps ensure the future viability of agriculture.