Drought resistant seeds to boost arid farming

“We are planning to introduce irrigation to these counties that account for 80 per cent of the country and this will herald a new beginning in food production,” he said.

Kireger was addressing the Press during a meeting with farmers and extension officers from ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/farmkenya/article/2001386369/kalro-to-develop-resistant-seeds-for-arid-areas">Asal counties< on the new technological changes they intend to make at ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/farmkenya/news/article/2001380107/kalro-develops-maize-varieties-that-can-withstand-pests">Kalro station< in Naivasha. 

In July, Kalro developed two maize varieties that are resistant to the viral Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease and fall army worm.

According to Kireger, the viral disease and pest has adversely affected maize production in the country.

But the good news for farmers is that this will be a thing of the past in the coming months once the new varieties hit the market.

“Kalro has developed two maize varieties that are resistant to Maize Lethal Necrosis disease and army fall worm and we expect that this will solve the perennial problem that has faced farmers,” Dr Kireger said.

Speaking in Kalro farm in Naivasha, Kireger said they have distributed the new varieties to private companies for multiplication before making them available to farmers.

“We expect that the new breeds will hit the market by April next year and this is part of the organisation's efforts to address food security,” he said.

On tomato, the DG attributed the current pests and disease to climate change, adding that Kalro had developed good agriculture practices to manage them.

“The biggest challenge that has faced tomato farmers is the Tuta absoluta pest, but under the new farming practices this will be easily contained.” 

Kireger also revealed that Kalro, under a World Bank project, has embarked on mass production of seedlings for indigenous fruits.

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