Rains to boost harvest, improve food security

By Peter Orengo

Farmers have a reason to smile as they anticipate a bumper harvest due to adequate rains.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the country would get from 38 to 40 million bags of maize this year, an estimated 2.25 million metric tonnes, as compared to 1.8 last year.

Agriculture PS Romano Kiome said the plentiful harvest would reduce inflation and boost grain reserves, which had been severely depleted due to low production in the country’s grain basket, the Rift Valley Province.

"The ongoing rain is good for our country after months of scarcity. We expect more maize and vegetables in the markets at reduced prices," said Kiome.

Maize output from the long rains was about 17 per cent below the short rains average output due to failed production in most of the south-eastern and coastal lowlands.

"While the long rains maize crop harvesting ended in the south Rift, Nyanza and parts of Western in August, the bulk of long rains crop harvesting is underway in the growing areas in North Rift and Western Kenya," said Kiome.

The PS asked maize farmers to take advantage of the Government’s grain storage system to avoid exposure of harvest to aflatoxin.

But things may not be rosy for dairy farmers who are faced with the possibility of milk glut.

For pastoralists, life is much better for the over 3.5 million population who a few months ago, were on the verge of starvation.

The precarious food security status of pastoral households in north eastern, northern, north western and southern Maasai rangelands is likely to ease significantly during October December period.

Early rains

Expected improvements are attributed to adequate early short rains.

"Direct effects of average short rains will include regeneration of pasture and recharge of water sources, leading to improved availability of food and water for livestock, resulting in improved health, body conditions and value," said Livestock PS Kenneth Lusaka.

He said the rains will also accelerate the return to wet season grazing areas by the 70-80 per cent of livestock that had migrated to central, south eastern, coastal, and eastern districts of the country, and into south eastern Ethiopia and Shabelle region in Somalia.

The favourable weather conditions will also increase calving in the livestock and increase milk availability for the drought affected household members. Improved milk and cereal availability will result in reduced child malnutrition from November onward.

The two permanent secretaries were speaking when they received two vehicles worth Sh4.2 million each, from the German government for drought relief programmes at Kilimo House in Nairobi.

Kiome said the price of maize has declined by between five and 15 per cent across all livelihoods. Nevertheless, maize prices remain 70-90 per cent above respective five year averages in urban zones.