• The Ministry of Agriculture says harvesting of most of the long rains food crops continued in the medium to high potential areas of the country.
• The Kenya Crops Condition Bulletin released by the Ministry of Agriculture showed that harvesting of the long rains maize has started in some areas, but the prevailing wet conditions may lead to rotting thereby increasing post-harvest losses.
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Image: Emmanuel Sabuni
The October-November-December short rains may affect harvesting, drying and storage of grains in parts of the country, the Kenya Crops Condition Bulletin has said.
The bulletin released by the Ministry of Agriculture showed that harvesting of the long rains maize has started in some areas, but the prevailing wet conditions may lead to rotting, thereby increasing post-harvest losses.
Agriculture PS Hamadi Boga said production would go down due to erratic long rains and projected depressed short rains.
He said the long-term average for the long rain season harvest is usually around 36 million bags of maize.
“But this year we are estimating around 28 million bags of maize from the long rain harvest. This is due to erratic rains where most areas received 30 per cent less rain,” Boga told the Star on Thursday.
The Kenya Meteorological department weather outlook indicated that the October 2021 rainfall is expected to be poorly distributed, both in time and space, over most parts of the country.
David Gikungu from the Met department said the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, Central and South Rift Valley are expected to have near to above average rainfall.
“This is likely to provide sufficient soil moisture to sustain agricultural production. The rains may, however, adversely affect harvesting, drying and storage of grains. The continuation of sunny and dry weather conditions in Northeastern Counties and the South-eastern lowlands may continue diminishing pastures for livestock in these regions,” he said.
The September Kenya Crops Condition Bulletin indicated that harvesting of most of the long rains food crops continued in medium to high potential areas of the country.
Maize crop conditions in Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Trans Nzoia counties was good.
It, however, said there were reports of fall armyworm infestation in parts of Trans Nzoia and Baringo counties, while the maize lethal necrosis disease was reported to have affected 150 hectares (392 acres) in parts of Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties.
In Samburu, Laikipia and West Pokot counties, maize performance was lower by 31 per cent of long-term average. Overall, the region will achieve 79 per cent of the long-term average for maize.
The crop has been harvested in lower Eastern, Coast, parts of Central, parts of Western and lower Nyanza regions, with poor yields achieved.
A total crop failure was experienced in Kitui, Tana River and lower parts of West Pokot counties.
“Harvesting of sorghum, beans and potatoes is ongoing. Beans wilted in Samburu while in Laikipia, the crop was under watch with 35 per cent expected and 60 per cent expected in Uasin Gishu and in favourable condition in West Pokot,” the bulletin indicated.
In Nandi, harvesting of the crop is almost complete, apart from few places that were planted late. Wheat is in the reproductive to early harvesting stage, with favourable conditions being reported in all counties.
This is except in Laikipia where 35 per cent of the crop is experiencing moisture stress and yields may be affected negatively.
Wheat performance will be good if conditions remain favourable. Harvesting is ongoing for early planted Irish potatoes in Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu, with above average yields expected. In Laikipia and Baringo, the crop is at maturity to harvesting stage and normal yield is expected.
Sorghum condition is favourable at reproductive stage in West Pokot, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Laikipia and Nandi. Harvesting has commenced in Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties.
The Ministry of Agriculture said the short rains season started in the Nyanza region and the crop is from planting to the early vegetative stage for maize.
“The short rains land preparation is ongoing in lower eastern, central, upper and lower eastern. The crop is at planting to early vegetative stages in Nyanza and Western parts of the country, with some counties achieving over 70 percent planting,” the bulletin read.