Call for seeds that defy drought

Published on

By Karanja Njoroge

The Agriculture Ministry should give drought-resistant seeds to farmers in semi-arid areas during planting season.

A report prepared by the Ministry for the Development of Northern Kenya recommends that such seeds be made available to pastoralists who practise farming in Baringo and East Pokot districts.

The areas are among the worst affected by drought, and has led to the death of hundreds of livestock.

The report says the ministry should give maize, beans, sorghum, cowpeas, and green grams seeds.

It further calls on the veterinary department and relief agencies to step up support for the livestock health in Baringo and East Pokot.

Most livestock are vulnerable to the diseases following drought.

This would curb the rise in the number of East Coast Fever cases and other ailments.

Mr Musa Kibon of Action Aid said even camels, which survive in such harsh conditions, had been affected.

"We have many cases of camels suffering from swollen heads and sore mouths with frothy saliva," he said.

Musa said the animals health system had become weak due to inadequate food making them vulnerable to diseases.

Rai Faiq, a resident, said two of his camels had died after developing the symptoms.

"Investigate cases of red water in Ngorong sub- location and cases of swollen heads with mouth sores in Nginyang, East Pokot District," the report says.

It recommends that residents continue getting relief food supplies until the situation normalises as malnutrition cases are still high.