This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
Published on June 12, 2020, Kilifi County farmers are set for a bumper harvest during the April-July long rain season following proper distribution of rainfall throughout the months.
Unlike previous years, the rains have continued throughout April, May, and June, giving farmers high hopes of a good harvest. Some maize farmers interviewed by KNA in Kilifi south, north, Chonyi, Kaloleni, and Rabai Sub Counties expressed their optimism about the upcoming harvest.
Mr. Salimu Kaonge, a farmer in Rabai Sub County, said, "We do not have as many diseases and pests attacking our crops this season as in the past years, and we hope to chase away famine this time." His four-acre farm full of maize crop is doing well, with the only fear being the crow birds that are reported to have been destroying maize in other areas.
Another maize farmer in Chonyi Sub County, Mr. Robert Mwamuye, said his 7-acre maize farm will definitely perform well with or without rains during the month of June since most of them have started maturing. He attributed his success to doubling his effort this year after being advised to work from home following the outbreak of coronavirus.
However, farmers in the semi-arid region of Vitengeni and Muryachakwe in Ganze Sub County claimed that there has been no proper distribution of rainfall in their area, and that there has been no rainfall since the month of June, causing maize to dry up pre-maturely.
Kilifi County director of agriculture Margaret Mukare lauded the farmers for putting up more effort in their farms despite the pandemic. She said a programme to train farmers on proper food storage was initiated a year ago but due to financial constraints, not all farmers have been reached.
By Harrison Yeri
