Harvesting Hope: Empowering Kisumu Communities through Smart Agriculture-ClimateYESKenya

On 5th October 2024, 15 dedicated climate yes members in Kisumu Kenya, gathered for the Harvesting Hope: Empowering Communities through Smart Agriculture, an initiative designed to equip young Christians with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to harness the available agricultural opportunities in the face of the climate change crisis alongside the rampant unemployment.
The training marked a significant step toward addressing the impacts of climate change on food security, agriculture as a sector as well as youth livelihood at the community, country and global levels. With unpredictable weather patterns, soil degradation, and water scarcity threatening traditional farming methods, smart agriculture offers hope by combining innovation with resource-efficient practices.
Africa’s population consists of about 60% young people. With the right skilling and support through respective authorities including the church, young people can be employed in this sector hence an increase agricultural productivity and therefore assured food security. However it is important to note that supportive policies to that narrative need to be enacted.
During the event, participants were introduced to a variety of sustainable farming methods, with hands-on demonstrations of conical gardens—a technique designed to maximize space, conserve water, and improve crop yields. These gardens are particularly effective in areas with limited land or water, making them an ideal solution for small-scale farmers in Kisumu County.
Crops such as sukuma wiki and spinach were planted, with the expectation that once mature, part of the produce would be shared with the wider community and the rest sold to sustain the cycle with repetitive trainings to more young people in our communities.
Key takeaways from the training included:
The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture: Participants gained an understanding of how climate change affects agricultural productivity. The experts stressed the importance of adopting climate-resilient practices to mitigate these effects and ensure sustainable food production.
Youth Engagement in Agriculture: The event challenged the perception that agriculture is an endeavour for the older generation. It highlighted the growing involvement of young people in smart agriculture and called for more youth participation.
Policy Advocacy: A recurring theme was the need for policies that support youth involvement in agriculture. Participants expressed concern that current policies often overlook the contributions that young people can make through smart farming. They called for more inclusive frameworks that encourage youth-driven agricultural innovation.
May God bless all the farmers worldwide for they are feeding multitudes amidst the climate crisis. Deuteronomy 28:12 The Lord will open the heavens, the store house of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.