What's happened
Across Africa, young people are returning to agriculture due to rising urban costs, improved farming support, and climate concerns. Governments and NGOs are investing in land access, skills, and infrastructure, encouraging a shift from city life to farming, despite persistent social stigma and climate risks.
What's behind the headline?
The narrative of youth abandoning farming is being challenged by recent developments. Governments and NGOs are actively promoting agriculture as a viable and profitable career, countering long-standing social stigmas. The rise of support programs, such as land acquisition initiatives and access to modern inputs, signals a strategic shift. However, climate change remains a formidable obstacle, threatening the sustainability of these efforts. The success of programs like WFP's in Senegal demonstrates that targeted support can yield significant results, but broader systemic issues like land fragmentation and market access still hinder full-scale revival. This story will likely accelerate as climate impacts intensify, pushing more youth to see farming as a future, especially if policies continue to improve. The key will be integrating climate resilience into these programs to ensure long-term viability.
What the papers say
Contrasting perspectives emerge between the All Africa articles and The Independent. The All Africa pieces highlight government-led reforms and infrastructure investments, emphasizing positive momentum and policy support. For example, President Ruto's address underscores sectoral reforms and digital employment growth, framing 2026 as a year of tangible progress. Conversely, The Independent presents a more cautious view, emphasizing ongoing challenges like climate change, land access issues, and social stigma that still deter youth from farming. The story of Mangassa and Simon illustrates that despite support programs, systemic barriers and climate risks threaten to undermine these efforts. Both sources agree that support and investment are crucial, but differ on the outlookâone optimistic about reforms, the other highlighting persistent obstacles.
How we got here
Urbanization and economic pressures have pushed many African youth away from farming, which is often seen as low-status work. However, recent investments in agricultural technology, land access programs, and rising food prices are making farming more attractive. Climate change and land fragmentation remain significant barriers, but initiatives like the World Food Program's support for young farmers are helping to reverse the trend.
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Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in Eastern Africa. At 580,367 square kilometres, Kenya is the world's 48th largest country by total area. With a population of more than 47.6 million people, Kenya is the 29th most populous country.