By George Munene Willson Arusei, a farmer at Baringo County has set up fodder storage units and is bulking up his forage reserves in anticipation of the La Niña forecasted to hit East Africa from January 2021 by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) “I was forced to sell most of my herd at throwaway prices […]
Farmers build forage reserves ahead of forecast January drought Read More »
By Jenny Luesby So the numbers are finally coming in: we are going to kill 180x more people per day with the current Covid-19 measures than are dying from the disease itself, says the World Food Programme (WFP) – as in, 300,000 people a day, in over 30 nations of which Kenya is one, compared
Fast action needed to head off ‘biblical’ famine Read More »
By Brian Moseti By the time James Matano was quitting his nursing job to pursue a career in farming, he had developed a strategy to put him ahead of the competition. Unlike most new farmers, who are lured into selecting crops based on how much is currently in the market and the prevailing prices, Matano
Planning crops to fit the weather forecast delivers certain wealth, claim farmers Read More »
Farmers producing sesame seeds, locally known as simsim now have a chance to sell the oil-rich seeds to a South African firm, Protech Consulting Limited which is seeking to buy and import 40 tonnes per month from Kenya to meet growing demand in the country. According to Bryan Kwena, the company’s Business Development Manager (East
South Africa importer buying tonnes of sesame (simsim) seeds from Kenyan growers Read More »
Farmers watering their vegetables. Irrigation has become the best alternative for farmers in Kenya during dry seasons as rainfall has become erratic. Photo courtesy. About 400 farmers in Laikipia are relying on gravitational force to tap water from Aberdare Mountain Ranges to use in growing different crops such as fruits, vegetables and potatoes. This has
How farmers are tapping water from Aberdare Mountain Ranges for crop production Read More »
Farmers can have access to water for use in the farm all-year round even in times of drought by building water pans to harvest and conserve the commodity. A report published in the International Journal of Climatology reveals that Kenya is highly vulnerable to drought. Only 20 per cent of the country receives high and
Pans helps farmers harvest water for use all-year round Read More »
Smallholder farmers in Kenya can beat the current drought effects by growing drought tolerant beans that require less water and mature in two months ready for harvesting. According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, the long season rains which normally begin from March to May have delayed due to the tropical cyclone Idai which has redirected
New bean varieties that use less water to help farmers beat drought effects Read More »
Bell Industries Limited sales agronomist, Peter Chomba- Mt. Kenya region showing BELSAP during a past farmers’ field day. Photo: Zablon Oyugi. Farmers, especially in water-stressed areas growing various types of crops such as horticulture and field crops, forest and fruit trees, potted plants and flowers can now increase chances of survival of the plants using water-saving
Water saving crystals that can enable plants survive longer in dry conditions Read More »
The long season rains are set to begin in the fourth week of March in Kenya’s bread baskets of Rift Valley and the Central region according to the Kenya Meteorological Department. According to the International Water Management Institute, rain fed agriculture accounts for 95 per cent of farmed land in Sub-Saharan Africa. The western highlands
Long rains set for the fourth week of March, says Weatherman Read More »
Muia Kusenga,84, showing his tree tomato fruits in his farm. He has been practicing water harvesting for his crop production. Photo: Oyugi Zablon/Farmbiz Africa. An 84 years old farmer from Machakos County who has mastered the art of water harvesting is able to grow and water his crops all year round while his peers who
Water harvesting saves an 84 years old Machakos farmer as peers suffer during drought Read More »