Abstract:
This paper investigates the level of access to and use of farming resources by youth
engaging in vegetable production in Kakamega Town, Kenya. Primary data was collected
using questionnaires and interviews from youth vegetable farmers and key resource
persons. Results reveal that youth obtained land through negotiation, inheriting,
borrowing, hiring and buying. Water used for vegetable irrigation was obtained from
water kiosks, piped borne water, streams, recycled waste water and boreholes. Financial
assets and farming inputs were accessed from personal savings, parents, siblings, friends,
neighbours and local authorities. Parents, siblings, children, neighbours, friends, relatives
and hired workers provided farm labour. Agricultural information was sought from
agricultural offices, agricultural shows, research institutes, family members and
neighbours. The use of farm resources were influenced by the means of acquiring the
resource, distance from the sources, ability to pay, the scale of production, family
headship and various stakeholders and institutions. This paper proposes that access to
farming resources by youth should be enhanced by the Ministry of Agriculture in
collaboration with other key actors.
