Homa Bay Bunge La Wenyenchi has begun campaigns to have the youth adopt farming at Kimira-Oluch irrigation scheme.
The civil society group argues that the Sh6.5 billion project may not meet its intended objective in future should young people fail to change their negative attitude towards crop production.
The Kimira Oluch Smallholder Farm Improvement project covers Karachuonyo and Rangwe constituencies and is aimed at boosting food security and uplifting living standards of residents.
The national government in partnership with the African Development Bank initiated it in 2007. It is undertaken on 3685 acres and is subdivided into 97 irrigation blocks.
More than 5,000 households were projected to benefit directly by producing food crops and high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables for sale both regionally and internationally.
Homa Bay Bunge La Wenyenchi says it realised that only the elderly persons are engaged in crop production through the project.
Peterlis Ojwang', a 77-year-old resident, concurred. He said he has been farming at the scheme for about 10 years. Ojwang’, who hails from Koyugi location in Karachuonyo, said he has been growing maize and horticultural crops.
“My advanced age has forced me to reduce the scale of crop production. It’s important for the young and energetic people to take over from us,” Ojwang' said.
George Aoko, 64, said young people who should take over from them and continue with crop production are keeping at bay. Aoko is the chairman of Kimira Irrigation Water Users Association.
“Lack of youth engagement in crop production is worrying us. Youths can a lot of money if they start farming using the project,” Aoko said.
Christine Akinyi,61, and a widow uses water from the project to grow fodder crops for her cross bred goats.
“Besides raring goats, I use the water for crop farming,” she said.
Speaking after touring the project, head of Bunge La Wenyenchi Walter Opiyo and spokesman Evance Oloo said each member is tasked to talk to young people to turn to farming.
Opiyo said they would conduct door-to-door mobilisation so that the project can realise its intended purpose.
“We have changed tack in approaching the issue. Elected leaders should join the cause and help us sensitise youths to embrace farming using this project,” Opiyo said.
Oloo said they wrote to the Homa Bay county assembly to come up with legislation that allows leasing of idle land in the scheme to those interested in farming.
"Some people do not allow others to use their land, yet they are also not growing crops. No land should lie fallow because people need to produce food using this project,” Oloo said.
Senior agronomist Amos Amenya said the project can make many people rich, especially the youth, if they utilise it appropriately. He appealed to the youth to refrain from being used to make quick cash through questionable deals.
“Let youths avoid crooked and easy ways of getting cash which ruin their lives. They should understand that they can become financially stable if they utilised this project effectively,” Amenya said.
