The rainfall in Taita Taveta county is expected to decline this week, the Meteorological Department has said.
County Met director Robinson Asira said on Tuesday this week marks the end of this year's March, April, May (MAM) rainfall in the region.
He said light rains may occur in different parts of the county within the week.
The weatherman had earlier warned that the rainy season would be below normal with a late onset and a likely early cessation.
Asira had advised farmers to plant drought-tolerant crops that can do well with little rainfall.
This week, Asira said the temperatures are likely to range from 1025⁰C to 25⁰C over the highlands, and 18⁰C to 33⁰C over the lowlands.
“The temperatures are low, residents are advised to use warm clothing and bedding to keep warm during the week. Southerly winds of up to 44 kilometres per hour are likely over some places within the county,” Asira said in his weekly advisory and weather forecast update.
Some farmers are worried they might record low yields owing to the early end of the rains.
Farmer John Mwandoe at Kirumbi, Voi subcounty, said his green grans are at the flowering stage. Late onset of the season will reduce the yield.
“Rain started in the second week of April and it only rained for three weeks. We are not expecting much from the farm because the dry spell has caught up with us again,” Mwandoe said.
He said the region will still need food assistance since many families will not harvest enough produce to take them through the year.
According to the National Drought Management Authority, vegetation cover in the region has greatly improved, bringing a reprieve to livestock keepers.
NDMA has also said the number of food-stressed people in the county is expected to go down in the months of May, June and July.
Meanwhile, the county government is seeking support from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations to improve crop and livestock production.
On Tuesday, Governor Andrew Mwadime met officials from FAO to strategise on a partnership that seeks to support small-scale farmers increase productivity.
“We seek more collaboration in unlocking investment opportunities at our ranches which include feedlot farming and constructing an export abattoir in Voi. Another key area is a livestock market for farmers to offset their livestock,” the governor said during a meeting at Wundanyi.
Mwadime said the county will partner with FAO to desilt irrigation canals and drain over 1,000 acres in Buruma rice fields to increase and promote rice farming in Taveta.
(Edited by V. Graham)
