Access to land and youth involvement in agricultural value chains in Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between land accessibility and youth participation in the agricultural value chain in Kakamega County, Kenya. Utilizing a stratified questionnaire for data collection from 240 respondents, chosen through stratified and simple random sampling, the research analyzed data to generate frequencies, percentages, and correlations. Results showed that limited access to land is a significant barrier for youth involvement in agriculture, impacting all stages of the value chain except consumption. This study is novel in its comprehensive analysis of the entire agricultural value chain, from production to consumption, and its focuses on the youth, a crucial demographic in Kenya. The findings highlight the importance of land accessibility for the youth's active participation and the potential economic benefits thereof. The insights are valuable for policymakers and donor organizations in crafting strategies to improve land access for young people, thus enhancing their livelihoods and fostering entrepreneurial growth in the most promising segments of the agricultural value chain.