Farmers get tips to cope with dry weather spell

By James Munyeki

A provincial administrator has urged farmers to adopt mixed farming to fight hunger.

Nyandarua North DC Pauline Ndola said on Tuesday farmers should be encouraged to also plant drought-resistant crops that could withstand the prolonged dry weather spell.

She observed that most parts of the district were dry and required drastic measures aimed at sustaining the local communities.

Ms Ndola noted that most farmers lacked proper water storage facilities, which meant they couldn’t produce enough food to see them through the dry seasons.

She encouraged them to look for alternative ways of collecting rainwater, adding that this would help alleviate the vagaries of dry weather spell.

"Most of our farmers do not have water storage facilities. We are encouraging them to look for other ways of collecting this rain water so that they can use it in case the rains cease," she said.

The administrator reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensure food security for all, adding that the Internal Security and Provincial Administration, and the Special Programmes ministries were working on modalities that would see the local people benefit from relief food by the end of this month.

She also said the ministries of Water and Irrigation, and Agriculture would soon construct water pans to enable farmers irrigate their crops.

The DC made the remarks after gracing a ceremony to promote four Administration Police officers from the district.

She said the officers had passed tests required for promotion to the level of corporal and urged them to be more responsible and serve wananchi with added vigour and dignity.

Ndola added that the officers needed to take care of their families, saying the police image had been tainted by individuals who absconded their parental responsibilities.