Stories from the field - Growing Futures
Above: Isaac Nasiyumu. Photo: Farm Africa / Tara Carey
Focus: Youth engagement
LOCATION
In the Trans-Nzoia County and Elgeyo Marakwet County of eastern Kenya, the odds are stacked against young Kenyan farmers’ chance of success with limited access to land, equipment and transport.
PROBLEM
In 2016, nearly 80% of Kenyans were less than 35 years old; and nearly one in five young people of working age was jobless. In a country where agriculture is key to the economy, contributing 26% of GDP, providing 65% of the export earnings, and employing more than 70% of rural people, farming should be offering a solution to youth unemployment.
SOLUTION
Farm Africa’s Growing Futures project is helping 2,500 young farmers in Trans-Nzoia County and 2,000 young farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet County, set up profitable farming enterprises by capitalising upon the growing demand for produce such as French beans, mangetout, kale, tomatoes and cabbages. Young farmers are learning to grow export-quality crops, set up sustainable relationships with buyers and run profitable farming businesses.
ISAAC’S STORY
Farm Africa first met Isaac and his wife Peninah in 2015 when they joined the Growing Futures project in Trans-Nzoia East. Back then, they were growing maize to eat and sell, but were struggling to provide for their two children. Maize takes a long time to mature and does not fetch a good price at market; so Isaac and Peninah had to supplement their income by doing casual labour on other people's farms.
Their earnings were low and they could only afford to eat two meals a day. Their poor diet meant their children often became sick, but Isaac and Peninah could not afford to pay for medical care or medicine. Understandably, they were extremely concerned about their family's future.
Growing Futures is not only about good farming techniques or introducing new varieties of crops; it is about the bigger picture. During training, participants are also taught about the standards required for exporting produce, about how to handle their harvested crops to maintain their quality and about finance. We also help young farmers work together in groups, so they can coordinate their harvests and sell in bulk. Then we help them to form links so they can sell to the international export market.
Through Growing Futures, Farm Africa are building a new generation of entrepreneurs who are improving their own lives. For Isaac and Peninah, the couple soon began to change their family's life.
In fact, since they began growing new crops, the family's income has since tripled. With their additional resources, they have bought a cow for milk, and a motorbike, which is enabling Isaac to sell his green beans, cabbages and other produce at the markets in neighbouring towns.
QUOTES
“One of the greatest things Farm Africa has taught us is about new crops and the best way to grow them. They have given us lots of training and helped us to begin our business by giving us high-quality seeds which means we can produce better harvests. We have also learned about farming a variety of crops at the same time to provide different sources of income."
“We used to start harvesting early because the weather would be bad later in the day, by the afternoon we would finish and then would have to story our harvest in a sack or a shed, it would cause dehydration and we would lose some of the produce. Now with the charcoal fridge we can store for two days without losing anything.”
“Young people can result to stealing if they don’t have a good job to earn them some money.”
“More people want to join our group, it has a good reputation in the community, even with the chief.”
All quotations are from Isaac (pictured above).
The Growing Futures project is funded by Aldi UK, Medicor Foundation and UK aid from the UK government.
IMAGES
Please find a selection of Farm Africa images, linked below. This includes images from this project, which you have permission to use. Kindly remember to credit the correct photographer, which is displayed in the notes of each photograph.
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WHO WE ARE
Farm Africa is a leading international development charity that reduces poverty by unleashing the ability of farmers across eastern Africa to grow more, sell more and sell for more. We apply practical approaches to development, providing inputs, tools and expertise to enable farmers to double or triple their yields.
Farm Africa helps farmers to become more resilient to the effects of climate change and to access markets so they can increase their income and build sustainable businesses. We work closely with communities, the private sector and governments to make sure we’re finding the most effective ways to sustain natural resources, increase food production and help end Africa’s need for aid.
Typically, Farm Africa’s staff are from the local area, can speak the local language, and have a deep understanding of the local context. With more 35 years’ experience working on the ground in rural Africa, we have a unique ability to spark change.
For more information, please visit www.farmafrica.org or follow us on social media:
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CONTACT
For more information, please contact Luke Hamilton, Corporate Partnerships Manager on lukeh@farmafrica.org