Farmers in Uasin Gishu County have been urged to grow short-term crops and adopt dairy farming to avoid over-reliance on maize.
Speaking on Thursday morning in his office, Agriculture and Livestock CeC Cyril Cheruiyot said that farmers should plant crops that take a shorter time to mature as this would ensure that there is food security in the county and nationally.
He said that short-term crops if well-cultivated could also become a source of income for families.
“Farmers should practice farming as a business just like any other business, not just for home consumption,” he said.
He also challenged the youth to venture in agriculture rather than spend all their time chasing elusive white-collar jobs.
“Farming is among the best paying jobs in the country and does not entail much to start. The youth should not think that only white-collar jobs are the best,” he stressed.
He assured farmers that the county government would make sure that farm inputs were available at affordable prices and urged them to visit the Kenya Farmers Association and the National Cereals and Produce Board offices where fertilizers are available at a subsidized prices.
He advised farmers to consult experts on the type of crops and fertilisers to be used in particular soils for better yields.