Youth urged to invest in agriculture

Iten

Friday, August 4, 2023

KNA by Alice Wanjiru/Jebet Saina

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has called on youths to invest in agriculture saying the sector has the potential to create job opportunities not only for them but also for others.

The governor said agriculture is quite lucrative as a business as the population keeps on increasing while investment in the sector is going down as most of the people engaging in agriculture were the elderly leading to shortage of food.

Speaking during an agricultural exhibition at the Iten sportsground, the governor said the county will ensure that such exhibitions are held in every ward as a way of reaching out to many farmers and especially the youth.

He said this will be also in preparation for the establishment of an industrial park which he said the county intends to build where farmers can take their produce for processing.

“Once we have industries, they will offer market to our produce in addition to increasing the income. The industries will also help in offering employment opportunities to our youth,” he said.

He called on farmers to take advantage of the county’s three agricultural ecological zones which can support the growth of any crop and rearing of different varieties of livestock.

The governor asked farmers to take advantage of the national government's fertilizers subsidy which he said will be retailing as low as Sh.2,500 down from the previous Sh.6,000. 

Farmers lauded the exhibition which has been lacking in the county but called on the county government to offer extension services saying they used to learn a lot from agricultural field days which used to be organized by the department of agriculture.

Lucy Kiprono, a farmer from Rogoccho in Keiyo South said she benefitted from the exhibition as she learnt how to fight fruit flies which have been attacking her mangoes.

“I have also learnt how to do grafting for mango and avocado trees in addition to how to manage my cows so that I can get more milk,” she said.

At least 60 exhibitors participated in the trade fair with the theme "Promoting adoption of innovative climate smart technologies for sustainable food security, nutrition and income.” 

Courtesy ; K. N. A