Youths in Nakuru County have been urged to embrace farming to increase food security and reduce unemployment.
Dr James Ondiek, a senior lecturer at Egerton University’s agriculture department has been educating farmers across the county and has urged youths to indulge in agriculture to create jobs.
“It is high time our youths started new farming methods to create income and increase food security in our county. The youths should start agri-businesses to fight joblessness,” said Dr Ondiek.
Michael Abuya, 21, is a first year student at Mt. Kenya University Nakuru Campus who started rearing pigs after he cleared fourth form in 2012. He said that farming has supplemented his incomes and he is able to pay his fees.
“I started with two pigs, a sow and a boar. They multiplied fast and after a year, I had over 20 pigs. Farmers’ Choice buys the pigs at a good price and that is why I work hard on my half acre farm,” recounts Abuya.
Dr Sharon Tsigadi, a farm manager at Farmers’ Choice said the company bought more than 200 pigs in 2013 earning the farmers an estimated Sh2.7 million.
Sir Gordon Conway, a professor of international development and the director of agriculture for impact said: “If young people embrace agriculture, they will make lots of money from agri-business. Some crops bring better returns than other jobs.”