A woman plucking vegetables at Sirata Farm in Marsabit County. Youths have been called to embrace agriculture. Photo: National Drought Management Authority.
Youths in Marsabit County have been urged to engage in agriculture as a means of self-employment due to the lack of job opportunities in the country., a major challenge in the country stilll waiting for solutions.
Addressing the media, Yasmin Gudere, who is one of the youth involved in agriculture at Sirata farm in Loglogo area Marsabit, has urged youth to seek livelihood in the agricultural sector which still has many opportunities and spaces for youth in Marsabit county as well as across the country.
“There are few youths in agriculture, there are so many opportunities in the agricultural sector. It is sad that a majority of us youths see agriculture as hectic and tiresome. You can start small through a kitchen garden, and aside from eating healthy vegetables, one can also have opportunities in the sector,” Gudere urged.
Gudere said that if young people participate in agriculture, especially sustainable agriculture, they will have the opportunity to become self-sufficient and also feed their families through crops and nutritious food. She also urged young people to attend agricultural forums and conferences, an issue that was long left to young people.
The biggest challenge he says he faces in his farming ventures is the lack of sufficient water and modern equipment to simplify their farming activities.
He has also called on organizations involved in agriculture to support the efforts of young people involved in agriculture in Marsabit.
“It is important as a youth to have information and knowledge on matters agriculture. The nutritious value of accessing fresh foods is beneficial to the body, but can also save lives when called upon. I will urge fellow youths to join and explore available opportunities and gaps in the sector,” she further urged.
However, she acknowledge of challenges in running the farm, including water shortage, that many farms have insufficient supply of water, as the available tanks are not enough.
“Our major challenge is shortage of water, for instance if you have a half an acre, water supply will not reach the end of the farm, due to few tanks available. But we are not going back, we continue going strong as that is what is called for as a young person,” she remarked.
