Siaya County to engage youths in digitization of Agriculture

Siaya, Sunday July 2, 2023

KNA by David Okoth

Siaya County government has affirmed its commitment to invest and utilize the skills of youths and support them in transforming the agricultural sector in the county.

Speaking during an agricultural expo hosted by Siaya Institute of Technology, Siaya County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, food security, irrigation, livestock and fisheries Sylvester Kokoth stated that there are plans to allocate funds for modern agriculture as the pillar for economic, industrial and commercial transformation.

“During our budgeting, we try to allocate adequate funds that will go towards agricultural production, agro processing and agricultural value chains that cut across agro-food systems,” said Kokoth.

Kokoth also said that Siaya County government is working towards engaging more youths in the agricultural sector and underplaying the belief it is meant only for the aged citizens.

“As a County we have the intention of reducing the average age of a Siaya farmer from 60 years to 30 years. We want to remove the notion that agriculture and productive enterprises are for retirees and the illiterate who are presented as desperate and engage in agriculture as a last resort,” he added.  

He also encouraged youths to engage themselves in agriculture as a career and means of empowering themselves financially.

Speaking at the event, Tabitha Ogutu an agribusiness entrepreneur in Siaya lauded the initiative to involve youths and technology in agriculture. Ogutu reiterated that technology is the sure way to bridge the gap between the traditional and modern agriculture to improve food production.

However, she said that there are various underlying challenges that involve youths in the sector, such as the notion by youths that agriculture is an alternative but not a full-time career.

“Many youths take a long period of time to be convinced to take part in agriculture. They take it as an alternative source of income,” Ogutu said and encouraged youths to make good use of the opportunities provided for by the government in agriculture to empower youths.

“As youths we have to be core creators with the government to save ourselves from unemployment and poverty,” she said. 

The agricultural expo was facilitated by the Siaya county government, Welt Hunger Ife and the Siaya institute of Technology, where many youths received a platform to showcase their various skills in agriculture.

Courtesy ;K. N. A