This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
On September 16, 2019, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri called on farmers to take up crop insurance cover to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The prolonged drought and floods have led to crop failure and dwindling productivity, affecting the country's agricultural sector.
Speaking during the Central Region Agricultural show in Nyeri, Mr. Kiunjuri expressed concern over the slow uptake of insurance schemes available for livestock and crops farmers.
He emphasized that farmers' livestock and crops will be insured against infestation of fall army worm and erratic weather conditions that have continued to threaten food security in the country.
“Farmers should embrace the insurance schemes so that they can be compensated in case of early cessation of rains or infestation of pests and diseases,” he said.
Mr. Kiunjuri's caution came after exhibitors at the show lost entire crops to unseasonal hailstorms in the days leading to the event, highlighting the reality of erratic weather caused by climate change.
Another solution, farmers were told, is to shift away from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation.
Nyeri county government has allocated Sh228 million to facilitate the transition from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation in the current fiscal year.
“The plan so far covers 2,600 hectares against a potential of 20,620 hectares,” said Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga.
