Millions of young Kenyans could gain valuable work experience abroad through a proposed agricultural exchange program aimed at countries facing aging populations.
Mutahi Kagwe outlined the proposal during the 49th Session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, highlighting that Kenya’s youthful population should be treated as an asset, not a burden.
“Kenya is fortunate to have a strong youth population dividend. For too long, we have viewed our young people as a challenge. But youth is not a problem to manage; youth is an opportunity to unlock, and agriculture is where that opportunity lies,” Kagwe said.
He suggested creating structured six-month agricultural internship exchange programs between Kenya and partner nations with declining demographics, such as the United Kingdom and other European countries.
Under the proposed framework, Kenyan agricultural students would gain practical experience abroad in areas such as advanced mechanization, climate-smart agriculture, value addition, and agribusiness systems. They would then return home to apply these skills and support the growth of commercial farming initiatives.
Mutahi Kagwe noted that host countries could also absorb some interns into their labor markets where workforce shortages exist, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement.
During a bilateral meeting with a UK delegation led by Ruth Davis, joined by UK Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to UN Agencies in Rome Evelyn Ashton, officials acknowledged the demographic challenges the UK is facing.
The UK delegation said that, with its aging population, structured exchange programs with Kenya are timely and mutually advantageous and expressed interest in expanding collaboration.
Mutahi Kagwe said Kenya is transforming agriculture from traditional subsistence farming, often managed by older farmers, into a commercially driven sector led by young agripreneurs.
The government plans to achieve this through market-oriented training in agricultural colleges, global benchmarking, creating a Youth Hub within the Ministry, and leasing idle public land for productive use. The approach is designed to link youth empowerment directly to land commercialization.
“The shift is simple. Produce not just for subsistence, but for markets. Add value. Increase productivity per acre. Strengthen farmer incomes,” Kagwe stated.
The delegation, which included Jonathan Mueke, Principal Secretary for Livestock Development, and the Principal Secretary for Water, noted that agriculture, water, livestock, and youth empowerment must work together to boost food security and economic stability.
“When young people earn from agriculture, we reduce hunger, restore dignity, and strengthen national stability. Food security is not just about production; it is about opportunity,” Kagwe concluded.
The post Mutahi Kagwe Proposes Overseas Agricultural Internships to Boost Kenya’s Young Agripreneurs appeared first on Bossnana.
