The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Persistent rainfall in Makueni County over the past three months has taken its toll on crop production, with maize and beans experiencing a 30% reduction, according to Mr. Samuel Mburu, the County Crops Officer (CCO).
Mr. Mburu reported that the county’s maize output stands at 420,000 bags, cultivated across 100,800 acres, falling short of the projected 600,000 bags from 144,000 acres. Similarly, bean production yielded 145,600 bags from 43,680 acres, below the anticipated 208,000 bags from 62,400 acres.
“The heavy rains have significantly impacted our agricultural outcomes. Instead of the expected harvest, we’ve seen a decrease of 30% in both maize and bean production,” Mr. Mburu conveyed during an interview with KNA at his Wote office.
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He highlighted the particularly affected regions along the Athi River and Kaiti area, where flooding submerged farmlands and erosion worsened soil conditions, leading to diminished yields.
“Farmers in these areas faced inundation, crop losses, and challenges like chlorosis disease, contributing to the decline in productivity,” Mburu explained.
Despite these setbacks, the prices of cereals remain stable due to surplus stocks carried over from the previous season, offering some relief to farmers.
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Additionally, Mr. Mburu revealed the aftermath of the floods in Mavindini ward, Kathozweni Subcounty, where farmers suffered losses, including 30 solar panels and essential irrigation infrastructure from the Katithi Micro Irrigation Project, impacting water storage for agricultural purposes.
To mitigate future challenges, agricultural extension officers are actively engaged in educating farmers on optimal planting times and appropriate fertilization techniques to enhance crop yields.
