Authorities have expressed concern at the number of youth ignoring agriculture in the name of looking for white collar jobs.
At a stakeholders meeting at the Old town hall on Monday, Nakuru County Agriculture and Fisheries minister Newton Chepkwony called on young people to embrace farming which he said offers an available solution to joblessness.
According to the county executive, there were numerous untapped opportunities in the sector that could transform the lives of many if well undertaken.
“Yes you are qualified, but as you await that formal employment; why not engage in agriculture and become self-reliant rather than idling there,” he said.
Chepkwony expressed confidence that the ministry was concerned about young professional’s welfare saying that willing individuals could visit his offices for guidance and advice.
“The youth agenda is in your own hands, you are responsible in driving it in a manner that will utilise your capabilities, talents and academic qualifications,” he explained.
He further noted that the only way to bridge the gap between the dream job and unemployment was to use the available resources to generate income.
The ministry is in the process of distributing pyrethrum seedlings to different youth groups across all the sub-counties in an effort of encouraging them to venture into agriculture.