Does education influence choice of agriculture as a livelihood career among the youth? Results of an

empirical study from coastal lowland Kenya

K.K. Lewa and J. M. Ndungu

Objectives

Does education level influence career choice?

??? participation in school farm

Source: KNBS 2005

Youth are

• 38.1% of population

• 60% of labour force

• Most are unemployed

Coastal Kenya

Maize, cassava, grain legumes

cattle, sheep, goats, poultry

coconuts, mango, cashew, citrus

Results

Ideal career choice Frequency PercentageBusiness 35 27.1Farming 34 26.4Medicine 17 13.2Teaching 11 8.5Artisanship 8 6.2Others 24 18.6Total 129 100

Distribution of respondents by ideal career choice

Results

Level of education Ideal career choiceFarming % Other %

None 19.5 79Primary 29.4 70.5Secondary 28.5 71.4Total 26.4 73.6

Distribution of respondents by level of education and choice of career

Participation in secondary school farm

Farming Other0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

YesNo

Farming Other

Did secondary school have a farm?

100%

50% 50%92%

44%56%

8%

Conclusion and recommendations

• The presence of a school farm or garden at secondary school appears to be positively associated with the selection of farming as an ideal career choice

• Participation in a school farm or garden at secondary school also appears to be positively associated with the selection of farming as an ideal career choice

• Make agriculture a core course in school curriculum• Revamp 4K, Young Farmers Clubs in schools• Pro-agriculture career counselling

Acknowledgements

• FAC/IDS-UK for funding the study

• Director KARI for providing support & enabling environment

• Staff: Administration, Ministries of Youth Affairs, Agriculture, Livestock, Social Services

• Youth for providing valuable information

Thank you for your attention