Introduction
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The 4-K Club programme in Kenya was founded in 1962. This happened after a local leaders’ visit to the USA, where they were exposed to various agricultural programmes. The one that stood out among this group was the the 4-H Foundation. The 4-H concept originated from the United States, and is the largest youth development organization with a rich history and an expansive network in urban neighborhoods, suburban schoolyards and rural farming communities.
The 4-H members stand out among their peers in building revolutionary opportunities and implementing community-wide change at an early age. The Kenyan leaders decided to adopt the 4-H concept and principles, which were customized to 4-K Club for ownership and identity. The guiding principle is to empower the youth with agricultural and life skills which will contribute towards better nutrition, health and higher standards of living.
In Kenya, currently, there are over 4,000 4-K Clubs found in primary schools with an estimated membership of over 200,000 countrywide. In the wake of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), it is envisaged that the 4-K Clubs will provide a holistic approach of Positive Youth Development (PYD) at home, school and the community by building on the strength of the youth as active agents to community development.
The Meaning of 4-K
Kuungana
UNITY of the youth and young farmers as members of the club to foster growth and empowerment in the society.
Kufanya
ENGAGING in doing work with one’s hands and mind, in a bid to meet society’s present needs.
Kusaidia
AID of the country by ensuring its progress through offering innovative solutions to national challenges.
Kenya
An educated, healthy, self-reliant nation points to an assurance of prosperity and a more secure future.
To Learn by Doing
It means being practically involved in the activities under the 4-K Club programmes and projects.
Research indicates that people learn best when they actually do a task. It has been found out that one remembers:
• 10% by reading
• 20% by hearing
• 30% by seeing
• 50% by seeing and hearing
• 70% by saying it ourselves
• 80% by experience
• 95% by saying and doing it ourselves (William Glasser, 1925).
For example, by growing your own crops, you learn to be a better farmer.
Message from H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta, CGH
Patron, 4-K Clubs
The importance of the agricultural sector to the Kenyan economy cannot be overemphasized. Through joint efforts by all the stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors, agricultural performance can be enhanced to improve the living standards of the Kenyan people. Despite the prospects of agriculture in spurring economic development, youth participation in the sector has been minimal.
There has been notably a continued low enrollment in agriculture as a career among the youth. This situation is mainly contributed by the negative attitude youth have towards agriculture. Ultimately, agriculture is seen as the last remedy to improving the livelihoods of many citizens.
To change this narrative, therefore, it is important to instill the practicing of agriculture from an early age. The idea to revive the 4-K Clubs in primary schools is not only the best avenue to achieve this, but an opportunity to instill good citizenry values that will promote patriotism of the pupils to their communities and the nation at large.
Coupled with the newly introduced Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) in primary schools, this manual has been developed to promote learning by doing (practical activities) that will enhance positive youth development.
Message from the CS, Hon. Peter Munya, EGH
Deputy Patron, 4-K Clubs
This 4-K Clubs website is a practical and user-friendly platform that aims to entrench the practice of agriculture among the school-going children. The website outlines how to establish and run 4-K Clubs, types of agricultural projects and their management, nutrition, environmental conservation and the Positive Youth Development (PYD) goal of developing and strengthening a young person’s competence, character, connection, confidence and compassion.
Using simple-to-understand language, systematic steps and guidelines, it is expected that agriculture practice will be enjoyable and subsequently from the onset considered as a noble career by the pupils at an early age.
For the revival of 4-K Clubs to be fruitful, total commitment of all stakeholders is required. If successfully run, these clubs will be an avenue of enhancing food and nutrition security both at home and at the schools. The school children will hence act as change agents. I encourage schools to utilize produce from the 4-K Club projects as part of the supplies for the school feeding programs. By doing this, schools will cut down on the cost of purchasing food and also promote the consumption of safe food.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives looks forward to working with stakeholders to unlock the potential of the youth in undertaking agribusiness for employment and wealth creation.
Message from the CAS, Anne Nyaga, CBS
Champion, 4-K Clubs
A large percentage of Kenya’s population is under the age of 18, and the majority of the overall population lives in rural areas. Therefore, young people make up a considerable portion of any rural population. These young people represent the farm families of the future. Agricultural professionals must upscale processes towards preparing them for that future. As a country, we must make a special effort to interest young people in agriculture and related activities. This will successfully happen by actively involving the school-going children in agricultural clubs.
In Kenya, the 4-K Clubs have existed in primary schools since 1962 when the Kungaana, Kufanya, Kusaidia, Kenya motto was domesticated from the American 4-H (hands, health, head and heart) motto. The success of the 4-K Clubs is well witnessed through the active participation of our parents in agriculture. They learned the value of agriculture at a very early age through doing it both in school and at home. As a champion of the 4-K Clubs, I can testify that the platform provided the first step to bring young people together, it gave us an outlet to express our views and problems and form a base from which to build for the future. Through the 4-K Clubs’ activities, we learned to appreciate agriculture and related works, which later develop to becoming a full-fledged profession on the farm and formal employment.
Through the 4-K Clubs, young people learn to socialize and train for future life. They learn specific skills, leadership qualities and develop a general understanding of the challenges of rural development. The youth are instructed in different aspects of agricultural practice, farm management, home economics and positive youth development. Through the clubs, members undertake specific projects designed to generate income.
Recreational activities and social events, like sports, day trips and even dances are incorporated in the 4-K Clubs. In this way, young people learn to enjoy club activities as part of their leisure time. In order to make a difference to the development of the country, stakeholders should support the revival of 4-K Clubs and invest in young people through agriculture.
Message from the PS, Prof. Hamadi I. Boga, CBS. PhD
The effort made by the Ministry to review and complete this website reveals the importance of the agricultural sector to social and economic development of our country Kenya. More so, it depicts that everyone, starting from the children to adults has a contribution to make towards the growth of the agricultural sector and subsequently this nation.
Preparation of children of school going age to undertake agricultural activities as a way of life will ensure the prosperity of this nation many generations to come. With positive change towards agriculture among the youth, Kenya will be assured of becoming a middle income country as underscored in Vision 2030.
Sincere appreciation goes to the Cabinet Secretary for steering the Ministry towards entrenching youth agenda in its undertakings. Special appreciation to Chief Administrative Secretary, Ms. Anne Nyaga for driving the process of getting the youth attracted and retained to agriculture. As a champion of the 4-K Clubs and being youth herself, the children and youth have a role model to look up to.
The Youth in Agriculture Unit is also acknowledged for the contributions made towards the review of this manual. Mainstreaming youth in agriculture that the unit is doing will assist this country in curbing unemployment considering the existing opportunities in agribusiness.
The Ministry acknowledges development partners and stakeholders that have come forth to support and collaborate with on matters of youth in agriculture. Many thanks to German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and Food and Agriculture Organization for enabling the production and printing of this manual. The contributions made by other persons are all appreciated.