ODHIAMBO: With suppressed rainfall, farmers should plant drought-resistant crops
The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a forecast for the upcoming October to December 2024 short rains season, warning that the country will experience depressed rainfall due to mild La Niña conditions.
Presented by the MET Director David Gikungu, during a press conference in Nakuru, the forecast spells serious concerns for Kenya’s agricultural sector, which is heavily reliant on consistent rainfall for crop and livestock production.
Dr Gikungu revealed that the rains will be significantly lower than average in many parts of the country.
This reduction in rainfall is attributed to several climatic factors, including a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and near-to-below average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
These conditions are not favourable for good rainfall across East Africa, leaving the region vulnerable to prolonged dry spells.
Counties in Central Kenya, the Rift Valley, the Coast, and North Eastern regions are among the areas expected to be hardest hit by the depressed rains.
These regions are key producers of maize and other crops essential for food security and the animal feed industry.
Reduced rainfall could lead to lower crop yields, creating shortages of critical raw materials and driving up prices.
Farmers in these regions are being advised to liaise with the State Department for Agriculture to plant drought-resistant crops to maximize output during the period of suppressed rainfall.
Without such measures, the anticipated poor rains could cause widespread food shortages, particularly for staple crops like maize, which is vital for both human consumption and livestock feed.
The animal feed industry is poised to suffer, as it relies heavily on crops such as maize to produce feed for livestock.
Lower yields due to reduced rainfall will inevitably lead to a scarcity of these raw materials, driving up the cost of animal feed.
Livestock farmers, already grappling with high production costs, may find it even more difficult to sustain their operations, particularly in the face of rising prices for feed and other inputs.
Pastoralist communities in the Northwestern counties, including Turkana and parts of Samburu, are likely to be hit hardest by the prolonged dry spells.
Poor pasture quality, combined with the high cost of commercial feed, may lead to significant livestock losses unless adequate measures are taken.
Dr Gikungu urged pastoralists to consider destocking their herds in anticipation of the tough times ahead.
The forecast also predicts warmer-than-average temperatures across most parts of the country which is expected to exacerbate the conditions, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
Despite the overall depressed rainfall, isolated incidents of storms and flash floods are still expected in some areas, complicating the already challenging conditions for farmers.
The short rains are anticipated to peak in November before ceasing between late November and early December, leaving little time for recovery in areas already suffering from drought.
The MET director urged the agricultural sector to prepare for the inevitable disruptions brought by the depressed rains.
Stakeholders in the animal feed industry are encouraged to develop contingency plans, including sourcing alternative raw materials and investing in feed storage solutions.
Exploring innovative approaches to feed formulation and seeking support from government and industry associations will also be crucial in navigating the uncertain times ahead.
For the farming community, the advice is clear: adopt drought-resistant crops, prepare for supply shortages, and work closely with agricultural experts to mitigate the impact of poor rainfall performance.