Rains threaten Nyanza’s grain basket

By Robert Nyasato

Global warming will have a significant impact on Kisii’s already compromised food security, experts have warned.

Increasing food shortages have become a trend in the region, which was hitherto self-sufficient and the grain basket for Nyanza Province.

In the past two planting seasons, erratic rainfall has led to increased food shortages in Kisii. As a result, the area had a shortfall of 30,000 bags of maize in the last harvest season.

On average the area produces 700,000 bags of maize annually. "Food scarcity is looming. It is time residents changed their staple (maize for ugali) and eating habits," said Mr James Katimbwa, the Kisii District agriculture officer. The decline of the harvest of maize in the first half of this year poses a major problem if the area doesn’t realise a good yield in the second half, the officer said.

Katimbwa said the department was investigating the long-term effects of climate change on rain-fed agriculture in the area. "When rainfall is low, late or early, farmers are the first ones to be in trouble," he said.

Diversifying staple food

Katimbwa said there is a direct link between the projected decrease of maize yield and climatic changes. Based on scientific research including interviews with farmers in the region, it is indicative the rain seasons in Kisii are unpredictable.

Statistics obtained from the Meteorology Department, Kisii Station, rain patterns during the month of January for the last three years show glaring disparities.

In January 2007, the region recorded 288.6mm of rainfall on average, which drastically dropped to 30.8mm the same month last year. This year the area registered 120.8mm.

Mr Francis Masigwa, a meteorologist at the Kisii Station says there could be enough moisture in the soil but farmers insist on the physical rain before planting.

The experts said farmers should plant crops resilient to weather changes instead of maize.