by K.K. Lewa, and J.M. Ndungu

Full title: Does educational level influence the choice of farming as a livelihood career? Results of an empirical study from coastal lowland Kenya

Kenya’s long – term economic development strategy -“Vision 2030”- identifies agriculture as a key sector to deliver the envisioned economic growth. Youth, who comprise over 31% of the total population and constitute about 60% of the country’s labour force, were expected to provide the human resource to drive this agricultural development. However, agriculture tended to be a practice for older people than the youth. The overall effect is that agricultural productivity and by extension, Kenya’s food security is threatened while employment especially among the youth soars. To reverse the trend, agriculture has to be made more appealing as a career choice for the youth. Knowledge of the perceptions and factors that influence youth to choose agriculture as a career is a step towards developing policies and strategies that will increase and sustain the youth’s interest and participation in agriculture. This study was part of a broader research project aimed to assess the experiences and perceptions of youth regarding the changes and opportunities in the agri-food sector in coastal Kenya. The study was conducted in six locations of coastal lowland Kenya and was intended to find out if there is a relationship between educational level and choice of farming as a livelihood career among the youth. A total of 129 youth aged between 15 and 30 years old were selected using purposive and multi stage random sampling techniques. The chi-square test ?2 (at 2 df) = 2.645 and p < 0.05 showed no significant difference between educational level and choice of farming as a livelihood career. Only 27.9% of the respondents chose farming as their ideal career while 72.1% chose other careers. Reasons for the choice were that farming provides the main source of food (at subsistence level) and some income. The other preferred careers were business (28.1%), medicine (14.9%) and teaching (9.6%). These were seen to be more profitable, and were more stable. The study recommends policies that reorient agriculture from subsistence to commercial (to increase potential for profit); and, stabilize agricultural productivity to reduce risk.  Also pro-farming career counselling in primary and secondary schools should be encouraged. Further investigation need to be done to establish the role played by participating in farming at the school farm in developing career choices.