Meet the new generation of Kenyan farmers: Joshua and Maximilla

Young parents Joshua and Maximilla are two of the 71% of Kenyans working in agriculture.

Joshua and Maximilla run a small farm in Kenya, where they grow vegetables such as potatoes, onions and French beans. They’re also part of Farm Africa’s Growing Futures project, which helps young people like them find job opportunities in a country where one in five young people is unemployed.

Life hasn’t always been easy for this young couple. Joshua used to run a small bakery, but the business went under. He then decided to try his luck at agriculture, but fell into debt after a local farm dealer failed to pay him for a crop.

Due to the lack of a stable income, Joshua and Maximilla have struggled to pay for their children’s education. Their five year-old daughter Angelina (pictured below, left) was recently sent home from school as they were unable to pay the school fees.

“It makes me feel very bad because it is not my wish that my children are out of school,” said Maximilla.

Hopes for the future

Joshua and Maximilla are now seeing the first results from their involvement in the project.

The couple now look to the future with hope.

“With the good market linkage that we will be able to get through Growing Futures we will be able to sell our produce to earn income to pay our debt. We hope that our family will go back to having a normal life like other people.”

_{Photos: Farm Africa/Tara Carey.}