iicd | konrad plechowski | symposium on youth research and development | april 2014 waithood &...

IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014

Waithood & restricted futures:

using ICT to attract and retain youth to farming

in Western Kenya

Konrad Plechowski, MSc

‘Economic Development’ Sector Coordinator IICD

[email protected]


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


Smallholder farming – realities and associations

Poor farm practices

Low productivity Low income Intensive

labour

Lack of training

Gender inequalities Financial risks

Lack of access to the inputs,

services, credit and markets

Vulnerable to environmental and economic

shocks

Intense competition

from sophisticated multinationals

High transaction

costs


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

Propensity for taking higher entrepreneurial

risks

Capacity to innovate

Affinity for using ICTs

Access to markets and information regarding market

price and demand

Access to extension information, geo-data (weather, soil), and

information regarding agricultural inputs

Access to finance and financial information

Management, administration and planning of the farmer

organizations

Youth ICTs


IICD’s Economic Development program in Kenya

A Youth’s ICT-enabled journey

into profitable farming


Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTDvQT_Kenw&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTDvQT_Kenw&feature=youtu.be




IICD’s Economic Development program in Kenya


into profitable farming


beyond waithood and restricted futures


• Personal motivations

• Social structures

Social

context

• Strong urban demand

• Structural basis for farming-as-business

Economy

context

• Ability• Affordabilit

y• Capacity

ICT context

Beyond waithood and restricted futures in Kenya

Stronger social position internally and externally

Enhanced youth’s productivity

High quality

services of FOs


Personal motivations and drivers

Basic LiteracySelf-confidence


Stronger social position internally and externally

FamilyCommuni

ty

Private sector

Government’s Extension

Workers

Farmer Organization

s


ICT – IICD’s integrated capacity building

ICTs for enhancing productivity (multimedia, radio, mobiles, Interactive Voice Response)

ICTs for market price info(mobile & online platforms)

IICD, Farmer

Organizations,

Local: ICT

providers, ICT

advisors, Agricultural

experts

Coaching, guidance,

and training


Youth in IICD’s Economic Development program

Young Entrepreneurs and Digital Skills – Ghana

Promoting Agro-ecological farming – Peru

Integrating ICTs in vocational training – Kenya & Zambia


Q&A



[email protected]


Thank you.



[email protected]

iicd | konrad plechowski | symposium on youth research and development | april 2014 waithood &...

Documents

youth research

poor youth

profitable farming slide

restricted futures slide

youths ictenabled journey

farming growth

smallholder agriculture

smallholder farming