Kenya is experiencing a silent revolution, and this revolution is rising right out of the ground. More and more young farmers in Kenya under 35 are turning to farming, not just as a side hustle, but as a full-time business.
Through scrolling Tik Tok to planting seeds, young farmers in Kenya such as Rodgers Kirwa (Mr. Agriculture), Jannette- Farm Girl, Caleb Karuga, F Kili my good friend Cleotilda J on twitter and many more are rewriting agriculture. Their X (Twitter) and Facebook posts receive thousands of likes, comments, and they even get purchaser for their produce on these platforms. The engagement is actually visible, as is the passion.
Why are more young farmers in Kenya choosing Agriculture?
Farming ceased to be a fallback plan or something that only villagers were into. Interestingly, a new perspective on farming is evolving. Ed Kemboi on X mentioned that,
“I’m very proud that, the likes of @F_Kili @andrewk3360 @KeKirwa and the rest of farming twitter have made the venture very attractive to Gen Zs. Kitambo ilikua ngumu kupata millennial anataka kuventure into farming. Let’s keep the movement growing!”
Youth are taking the narrative and running with it through hashtags such as #UkulimaSioUshamba (farming is not outdated) and making farming look smart, profitable, and cool.
The majority of them are taking advantage of the digital tools to follow farm records, market produce on an online platform and even sell livestock using WhatsApp and Facebook groups. They are mixing technology and tradition and demonstrating that soil still pays especially when one farms with education and planning. A good example is F Kili’s use of mechanization at Komol Farms to reduce costs and increase soil health.
Just like starting a kitchen garden at home, these young agripreneurs are proving that farming is cool and lucrative.
This new wave of young farmers in Kenya deserves applause. They are bringing that youth energy to a sector that was dominated by the older generation. In addition, they are picking muddy boots and fresh produce in an era when most of the people are running after urban jobs. And it is not that they feed themselves only, they are feeding the country.
This isn’t just local hype. Even international organizations like FAO Kenya are investing in youth in agriculture. They maintain that the youth are key to sustainable food systems in Africa.
My question
So, is it a hype? Absolutely. And with the continued seen farming work of young farmers in Kenya, it would only mean that the future of agriculture in Kenya is not only secure but bright.
