Abstract:
Recent studies in urban agriculture have stressed the significance of youth participation in enhancing food security, employment creation and income generation among urban households. However, little attention has been given to the opportunities and challenges among youth participating in vegetable farming in secondary cities in sub-Saharan Africa. This study identifies the opportunities and challenges of youth participating in household vegetable production in Kakamega Town. Youth survey was adopted in this study. 159 households were randomly sampled while key informants were sampled purposively. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from households and interview schedules on key informants. The data were analysed by use means, standard deviation, Chi-square and Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient while the data were presented in percentages, tables and graphs. Among youth engaging in urban vegetable production, 77.6% of the youth grow vegetables for food, 44.7% for better nutrition, 6.3% as an occupation, 75.5% to save on food expenses, and 54.7% as a source of income. The main challenges facing youth include livestock destruction of vegetables (86.1%), pests and diseases (83%), vegetable theft (68%), inaccessibility to land (45.3%), lack of finances (31.4%), heavy rainfall (23.9%), lack of extension services (22%) and inaccessibility of water (5.6%). Youth participating in vegetable production in Kakamega Town mainly obtain food, better nutrition, save food expenditure and generate income. Youths are hindered from effective vegetable production by resource challenges, environmental constraints and lack of knowledge. Further research should focus on the opportunities and challenges of youth participating in vegetable production on government and community lands and in other urban centres.
