Nairobi: National and county government leaders have called for urgent interventions to cushion farmers from the devastating effects of climate change after prolonged dry spells caused widespread crop failure across Kenya’s North Rift grain basket, raising fears over national food security.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the national launch of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme (INReMP) at the University of Eldoret, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and Principal Secretary for the State Department for Agriculture Dr. Kiprono Ronoh highlighted that erratic weather patterns had severely affected maize production in the country’s key food-producing region.
Governor Bii expressed concern that the prolonged drought had disrupted the traditional farming calendar, resulting in thousands of acres of maize fields remaining green but without grain after rainfall stopped abruptly before the crops matured. He noted that regions such as Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, and parts of Kakamega, which are pivotal to Kenya’s maize production, are severely affected by the drought.
The governor warned that the crop losses would significantly reduce this year’s harvest and threaten the country’s food supply. Bii thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for dispatching technical experts to assess the extent of crop damage, emphasizing that the findings would guide appropriate government interventions and inform support measures for affected farmers.
Bii further appealed to the national government to compensate affected farmers and consider writing off agricultural loans, noting that about 60 percent of crops in Uasin Gishu had been destroyed by the drought. He suggested increased investment in irrigation, climate-resilient farming technologies, and sustainable water conservation programs to reduce farmers’ vulnerability to unpredictable weather patterns.
Principal Secretary Dr. Kiprono Ronoh affirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture had already sent technical teams to assess crop losses across the North Rift. He explained that the government had ensured farmers received subsidized fertilizers, certified seeds, and other essential inputs in good time, but the unpredictable weather had led to the current crisis.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Ronoh encouraged farmers not to lose hope and to prepare for the upcoming short rains, as the government has already distributed inputs to support the next planting season. He acknowledged that unpredictable rainfall patterns had complicated farming decisions, but reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers.
The newly launched Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme aims to help communities adapt to climate change over the next eight years. It will focus on restoring degraded landscapes, promoting climate-smart agriculture, improving water resource management, expanding market opportunities for farmers, and strengthening institutions supporting agricultural production.
The leaders emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between national and county governments, development partners, research institutions, and farming communities to accelerate the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices. As prolonged dry spells continue to devastate maize farms, the region’s declining harvest poses significant risks to household incomes, food availability, and national food security.
