Farmers in Narok staring at losses as head smut disease ravages crop

Edwin Osoro, a commercial maize farmer inspecting maize crop affected by the head smut disease at his leased farm at Olkiriaine in Narok South.[Robert Kiplagat, Standard]

A section of maize farmers in Narok South is staring at losses worth millions in crop yields following the outbreak of head smut disease suspected to be linked with fake seeds.

Most of the farmers who claim to have bought ‘genuine’ seeds are crying foul after their crops develop head smuts at a time they were anticipating a bumper harvest.