Kenya Expands Overseas Farming Jobs for Youth Through Mkulima Majuu

Kenya is seeking to create more overseas agricultural opportunities for young people through the Mkulima Majuu programme, as the government works to promote farming as a skilled and viable career.

The programme is part of the wider Kazi Majuu labour mobility strategy and is designed to provide structured pathways for young Kenyans to take up agricultural jobs abroad. It focuses on modern farming practices and technology, while presenting agriculture as a profession that can offer access to international employment opportunities.

The approach was highlighted during a recent engagement by Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu in Buuri sub-county, Meru. Speaking to members of the Naari Dairy Co-operative Society, Njogu said local co-operatives could help connect farmers and young people to opportunities in overseas agricultural markets.

The sessions also included trainees from Meru National Polytechnic and Kiirua Technical Training Institute. The government aims to use such institutions and community organisations to prepare young people for international labour opportunities while strengthening local agricultural skills.

A key focus was seasonal agricultural work abroad, which allows participants to gain experience with advanced technologies, precision farming and large-scale commercial agricultural systems. Njogu urged those interested in such opportunities to use official recruitment channels and warned against fraudulent agents who target families seeking overseas employment.

However, the skills gained abroad can be difficult to apply when workers return to Kenya. Limited access to finance, high input costs and inadequate infrastructure can prevent farmers from adopting technologies and practices they have learned overseas.