1. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Waithood & restricted futures: using ICT to attract and retain youth to farming in Western Kenya Konrad Plechowski, MSc ‘Economic Development’ Sector Coordinator IICD kplechowski@iicd.org

2. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 The importance of attracting youth into farming “Growth of the agriculture sector in developing countries is one of the most effective mechanisms to alleviate poverty.” UN 2010 “Feeding a global population in 2050 will require a 70% increase in global food production. This will require that agriculture – particularly smallholder agriculture – plays a much more effective role.” IFAD 2011 “23% of the working poor are young people and the majority of these poor youth live in rural areas. Because of limited job prospects, many young people leave rural areas to seek employment opportunities elsewhere.” ILO 2012

3. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Smallholder farming – realities and associations Poor farm practices Low productivityLow incomeIntensive labour Lack of training Gender inequalities Financial risks Lack of access to the inputs, services, credit and markets Vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks Intense competition from sophisticated multinationals High transaction costs

4. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Potential of ICTs for activating young farmers “With the right conditions smallholders can be at the forefront of a transformation in the world’s agriculture” UNEP 2013 Propensity for taking higher entrepreneurial risks Capacity to innovate Affinity for using ICTs Access to markets and information regarding market price and demand Access to extension information, geo- data (weather, soil), and information regarding agricultural inputs Access to finance and financial information Management, administration and planning of the farmer organizations YouthICTs

5. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 IICD’s Economic Development program in Kenya A Youth’s ICT-enabled journey into profitable farming

6. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTDvQT_Kenw&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTDvQT_Kenw&feature=youtu.be

7. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 IICD’s Economic Development program in Kenya A Youth’s ICT-enabled journey into profitable farming A Youth’s ICT-enabled journey beyond waithood and restricted futures

8. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Personal motivations Social structures Social context Strong urban demand Structural basis for farming-as- business Economy context Ability Affordability Capacity ICT context Beyond waithood and restricted futures in Kenya Stronger social position internally and externally Enhanced youth’s productivity Enhanced youth’s negotiation positions & sales volumes Expansion of smallholder businesses High quality services of FOs

9. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Personal motivations and drivers Basic Literacy Self-confidence

10. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Stronger social position internally and externally Family Community Private sector Government’s Extension Workers Farmer Organizations

11. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 ICT – IICD’s integrated capacity building Coaching, guidance, and training (Basic and applied ICT skills) ICTs for enhancing productivity (multimedia, radio, mobiles, Interactive Voice Response) ICTs for market price info (mobile & online platforms) ICTs for management (farmers, FOs) IICD, Farmer Organizations, Local: ICT providers, ICT advisors, Agricultural experts Coaching, guidance, and training

12. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Youth in IICD’s Economic Development program Young Entrepreneurs and Digital Skills – Ghana Promoting Agro- ecological farming – Peru Integrating ICTs in vocational training – Kenya & Zambia

13. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Q&A Konrad Plechowski, MSc ‘Economic Development’ Sector Coordinator IICD kplechowski@iicd.org

14. IICD | Konrad Plechowski | Symposium on Youth Research and Development | April 2014 Thank you. Konrad Plechowski, MSc ‘Economic Development’ Sector Coordinator IICD kplechowski@iicd.org