1. Does education influence choice of
agriculture as a livelihood career
among the youth? Results of an
empirical study from coastal lowland
Kenya
K.K. Lewa and J. M. Ndungu

2. Objectives
Does education level
influence career
choice?
??? participation in
school farm

3. Coastal Kenya
Youth are
•38.1% of population
•60% of labour force
•Most are unemployed
Source: KNBS 2005

4. coconuts, mango, cashew, citrus
Maize, cassava, grain legumes
cattle, sheep, goats, poultry

5. Results
Distribution of respondents by ideal career choice
Ideal career choice Frequency Percentage
Business 35 27.1
Farming 34 26.4
Medicine 17 13.2
Teaching 11 8.5
Artisanship 8 6.2
Others 24 18.6
Total 129 100

6. Results
Distribution of respondents by level of education and choice
of career
Ideal career choice
Level of education
Farming % Other %
None 19.5 79
Primary 29.4 70.5
Secondary 28.5 71.4
Total 26.4 73.6

7. Did secondary school have a
farm? Participation in secondary
school farm
100%
100
90
80
Yes
70 No
60
92%
50
50% 50%
40
56%
30
44%
20
10
0
8%
Farming Other Farming Other

8. Conclusion and recommendations
• The presence of a school farm or garden at secondary
school appears to be positively associated with the
selection of farming as an ideal career choice
• Participation in a school farm or garden at secondary
school also appears to be positively associated with the
selection of farming as an ideal career choice
• Make agriculture a core course in school curriculum
• Revamp 4K, Young Farmers Clubs in schools
• Pro-agriculture career counselling

9. Acknowledgements
• FAC/IDS-UK for funding the study
• Director KARI for providing support & enabling
environment
• Staff: Administration, Ministries of Youth Affairs,
Agriculture, Livestock, Social Services
• Youth for providing valuable information