Majority of youths from Katoloni location in Athi River District have ditched farming for towns and Kenyan cities for lucrative and more paying jobs.
This was disclosed by Antony Musili, a plant doctor attached to the Katoloni Community Organization, an institution which deals with diagnosis and solutions recommendations on drugs, to control crop pests and diseases for improved yields.
Speaking to this reporter on Wednesday, Musili said the situation had compromised both crop and livestock production in the region, hence poor agricultural production.
“Most of the youth from Katoloni location have moved to towns and Kenyan cities for lucrative jobs compromising farming,” said Musili.
Musili argued that most families though have large tracks of land, could not engage in extensive farming and livestock production due to inadequate labour.
He said only the elderly and a bunch of middle aged persons were left in the villages struggling with subsistence agriculture.
The officers lamented that most of such youth who migrate to towns for white collar jobs end up suffering.
“There is no need of going to Nairobi to hustle if you know you can do farming and get good money,” said Musili.
He advised the youth from the region to stop quitting the village once they are done with their education, but instead do agriculture.
“Farming will enable you venture into agribusiness hence creating jobs, poverty eradication and improved livelihoods,” notes Musili.