Failed rains trigger digital maize damage assessment

The Ministry of Agriculture has launched a countywide digital maize crop assessment to establish the extent of damage caused by drought following failed rains.

The assessment, being conducted in partnership with county governments, will help guide timely interventions and policy decisions aimed at safeguarding the country's food security.

The exercise came as thousands of acres of maize in high-producing counties have been affected by prolonged dry conditions, raising fears of possible shortages next year.

Maize farmers in the North Rift, Kenya's main grain-producing region, are facing heavy losses after the rains failed soon after planting about a month ago.

Across many farms, maize crops have withered and are drying up, with some farmers considering uprooting the crop and using it as animal feed to avoid further losses.

Trans Nzoia is among the worst-affected counties, with agriculture executive Phanice Khatundi saying an estimated 50,000 acres of maize have been destroyed by the hot weather.

"We have more than 250,000 acres under maize in Trans Nzoia, and much of it has already dried up. We are staring at the worst food crisis in many years," she said.

In Uasin Gishu, about 175,000 maize farmers cultivated about 118,700 hectares (293,314 acres) this year, with the county expected to produce more than 4.2 million 90-kilogramme bags of maize during a normal season.

According to the agriculture department, at least 30 per cent of the crop has been severely affected by the prolonged dry spell, raising concerns about the country's food security.

Uasin Gishu agriculture executive Sam Kotut warned the situation could worsen significantly if rainfall is not received soon. He spoke while hosting a technical team from the ministry's Kilimo House headquarters.

He said the maize crop is at a critical growth stage and requires adequate moisture to mature.

"The ongoing drought is threatening maize production in Kenya's breadbasket. Through this partnership, we want to generate accurate and reliable field data that will guide timely interventions and informed decision-making," Kotut said.

The national delegation, led by deputy director of Crops Protus Khiza and Roots and Tuber Crops officer Naomi Khiara, said the assessment would use a digitised monitoring tool integrated with the Kenya Agricultural Information Management System (Kiamis).

The platform will capture real-time data on maize crop performance across the county, improving field reporting, data analysis and evidence-based decision-making.

The information gathered will enable county and national governments to implement appropriate interventions as the drought situation develops.

Maize crop damaged by drought in Trans Nzoia county