• Sese said farmers should make good use of the rain and maximise crop production through suitable land use management.
• He said farmers should prepare their farms early, plant suitable varieties, and use recommended fertilisers.
Image: /WILFRED NYANGARESI
The Kenya Meteorological Department has assured farmers in Kisii of increased agricultural production due to the long rains.
County director of metrology services Henry Sese said above normal rainfall is expected and will be favourable for dairy and crop farming in the region.
He spoke to the press in his office in Kisii town during the release of the March to May seasonal weather forecast.
Sese said farmers should make good use of the rain and maximise crop production through suitable land use management.
“For the dairy farmers, we expect increased pasture and fodder availability, leading to increased milk production. They should ensure that they properly dry and conserve cut fodder to be used during the dry season that will come after the rainy season,” Sese said.
He said banana production is expected to increase in the county due to the availability of planting materials, adding that farmers should increase areas under banana production and utilise the banana collection sheds.
The director said the production of legumes and cereals-sorghum, millet and maize-is also expected to increase.
He said farmers should prepare their farms early, plant suitable varieties, and use recommended fertilisers.
Sese advised farmers to do routine vaccination and prompt treatment of their animals and poultry, use clean planting materials, and proper disposal of affected plants.
“The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Agriculture should encourage residents to put in place soil conservation measures to minimise environmental degradation caused by soil erosion. Residents should also be encouraged to plant more indigenous and fruit trees to increase forest cover and conserve the environment,” he said.
The weatherman said above-normal rainfall of 701-740mm is expected in Riana, Bogiakumu, Kitutu Chache Central, Bobaracho and Sameta. In Bogetenga and Machoge Basi 661-700mm of rainfall is expected.
He said Nyachenge, Bombaba, Sengera and Bosoti areas will expect 621-660mm, while Birongo, Ichuni, Kiamokama, Nyamache, Gesusu, Masimba, among others, will receive 580-620mm of rainfall.
Last week, Met said the long rains will continue until June.
However, the peak will be in April for most regions except over the coastal strip where the peak is expected in May.
The outlook further showed that the country is expected to experience a normal rainfall onset, with fair distribution over areas expected to receive near to above average rainfall and poor distribution in the ASAL region.
Stella Aura, director of Meteorological Services said the March to May period is the major rainfall season over most of Kenya and much of equatorial Eastern Africa.
She said the highest seasonal rainfall amounts (greater than 300mm) are normally recorded over the Lake Victoria Basin, the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Central and South Rift Valley, the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi county) and the coastal strip.
These include Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, West Pokot, Laikipia.
Others are Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nairobi, Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale counties.
Aura said the forecast is based on the prevailing and expected evolution of Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies over the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans as well as the Synoptic, Mesoscale and local factors that affect the climate of Kenya.