TVET Institutions Urged to Embrace Tech-Driven Agriculture Training for Modern Job Market

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions must integrate innovative and technology-driven approaches into agriculture programmes to equip young Kenyans with relevant skills for the evolving job market.

Principal Secretary for TVET Dr. Esther Muoria issued the challenge while speaking at Kisii National Polytechnic in Kisii town. She cited government research showing strong demand for skilled youth in agriculture and related industries, both locally and internationally.

Dr. Muoria pointed to the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) programme, supported by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) and the German government. The initiative aims to strengthen agriculture training in TVETs, including at Kisii National Polytechnic through the AGSKILLS project.

She called for a deliberate shift from traditional, labour-intensive farming methods to mechanised, digital, and precision agriculture techniques. This transition, she said, will help transform the sector and create better employment opportunities for graduates.

“Embracing innovation would not only boost productivity, but also reduce labour intensity in farming,” Dr. Muoria emphasised.

Preparing Youth for Industry Needs

Kisii National Polytechnic is among institutions benefiting from SIFA support to upgrade agriculture curricula. The focus includes modern skills in crop production, value addition, mechanisation, and digital tools such as farm management software and precision farming technologies.

Dr. Muoria noted that outdated training approaches no longer match the realities of Kenya’s agricultural sector, which continues to face challenges of low productivity, climate change, and market demands. TVET graduates trained in technology-driven methods can fill critical gaps in commercial farming, agribusiness, and agricultural extension services.

The push aligns with broader government efforts to align TVET programmes with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and national goals for food security and job creation. Agriculture remains a major employer, and modernising training is seen as key to attracting more youth into the sector.

Stronger Industry Linkages

Officials at the polytechnic have been working to improve practical training through partnerships with industry players. SIFA-supported projects at the institution target improvements in the quality of agriculture programmes and better alignment with labour market needs.

Dr. Muoria urged all TVET institutions to review their curricula regularly and invest in modern equipment and trainer capacity. She highlighted the potential for TVET graduates to drive innovations in areas such as smart irrigation, drone-based monitoring, and post-harvest technologies.

With Kenya’s youthful population seeking meaningful employment, technology-focused agriculture training offers a pathway to higher incomes and reduced rural-urban migration. Institutions that adopt these approaches can produce graduates ready to support large-scale farming operations, cooperatives, and export-oriented agribusiness.

The PS encouraged polytechnics and technical colleges to forge stronger partnerships with private sector players and research institutions. Such collaborations can provide students with real-world exposure through internships, apprenticeships, and joint innovation projects.

As the government continues to expand TVET access and quality, Dr. Muoria’s message at Kisii National Polytechnic signals a clear policy direction: agriculture training must evolve rapidly to meet the demands of a competitive, technology-driven economy.

TVET leaders across the country are expected to take concrete steps to embed digital and mechanised skills in their programmes, ensuring Kenya’s young people become active contributors to a more productive and resilient agricultural sector.