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Plant early-maturing crops during short rains, Embu farmers urged

Monday, September 26th, 2022 08:30 | By
Millet farm in Embu. PHOTO/Courtesy
Millet farm in Embu. PHOTO/Courtesy

Farmers in Embu have been urged to plant early maturing and drought-resistant crops in the coming short rains, which will be below normal.

 According to the Kenya Metrological Department, the country will have depressed rainfall, aggravating the drought in parts of the country.

County metrological officer Joseph Mutisya said the rains would begin in the fourth week of October and most likely end in December. They will be poorly distributed.

 He said the rains are expected to end between mid and late December, noting that this duration is not adequate for many crops to mature.

Mutisya told farmers to liaise with agricultural extension officers for advice on the best seeds to plant depending on their ecological zones.

 He was speaking in Embu Town on Friday after a two-day stakeholders meeting.  County crops officer Patrick Njeru told farmers to prepare their farms early, with minimal tillage to conserve moisture, and to choose certified seeds. He urged them to practise mixed agriculture, adding that farmers in water-deficient areas should plant drought-tolerant maize varieties such as katumani, or the fast maturing DH02, alongside stress tolerant crops like cassava, cowpeas, sorghum and millet (left).

For farmers in upper Embu where rains are expected to be sufficient, farmers should plant maize varieties such as H6218, 6213 and 614D, besides keeping livestock.

 Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation researcher Murimi Kagete asked farmers to always plant certified seeds. He cautioned them against recycling seeds as this lowers productivity.

Livestock officer John Wanjie spoke on the need to destock so as to minimise losses from drought. “Farmers should offload their livestock before the current famine worsens,” he said.

Public health officer Elias Njagi asked locals to guard themselves against water-borne diseases. He called for a shift from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation.                         

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