The government has called upon farmers in maize-growing regions to harvest early before the projected El Nino rains to avoid losses.
Speaking in Naivasha, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO Director General Dr. Eliud Kireger said that they are currently trying to engage over five million farmers in the harvesting process and that this would give the farmers a chance to dry their maize in advance to save their produce from aflatoxin.
"We are able to communicate with our farmers using technology so we can send mass SMS to all farmers especially like now we expecting El Nino there is a very good harvest especially in the north rift if we don't harvest in good time we are going to lose that crop,” he said.
This comes a week after the Kenya Meteorological Department warned about the likelihood of El Niño rainfall occurring in the country between October and December 2023.
Kenya Meteorological Department Director General David Gikungu said during this period, the country will experience heightened rainfall and the potential for flooding and landslides in some areas.
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Gikungu emphasized the importance of proactive preparations by the relevant government agencies to mitigate possible deaths and loss of property in the forecast.
“The short rains during the period will have both negative and positive impacts across various sectors hence there is a need for adequate preparations,” Gikungu said.
Met said heavy continuous rainfall is expected in the Lake Victoria Basin region, Kisii, Elgeyo Mrakwet, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Vihiga, Laikipia, Nakuru, and Narok counties beginning September and would go on until January. They are expected to peak in October.
