Farmbizafrica has researched the earliest maturing, drought-resistant crops, from maize to tomatoes, for Kenyan farmers to get harvests from the 2024 short rains – predicted to deliver 50 per cent less rain than last year over little more than six weeks.
According to the International Center for Humanitarian Affairs (ICHA)-KRCS, Kenya has a high likelihood of experiencing La Niña ‘dry’ short rains which could be among the driest short rains the country has faced in the last century. Researchers warn this will shrink the number of rainy days to just 45-60 ending in the third week of December.
Maize
For those who still want to try and get a maize harvest, the lowest-risk option is the hybrid SC Sungura 301, produced by Seed Co Kenya. It is both drought and heat-tolerant and is suited to Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) in Kenya, thriving on less than 250 mm of rain. It is also the fastest maturing maize variety in Kenya, taking just 75-85 days before harvest, meaning it can stay without water in its last 10 days during ripening and when the grain is filling up and hardening.
The variety is grown as an alternative to or rotated with other drought-resistant crops, such as sorghum and millet, and yields 25-30 bags 90 kilograms bags an acre.
Pigeon peas
For farmers seeking greater certainty still, the drought-resistant Mbaazi-6 pigeon pea yields even when weeds start dying and are built to thrive in poor rains. It requires rain in the first six to eight weeks when the crop is flowering and the seeds are developing. Once established, the crop does not need any water, but rather dry weather with 25-40°C temperatures. Rains during flowering disturb the legume’s pollination causing poor seed development.
With the introduction of Mbaazi-6– an improved hybrid from KALRO Katumani that matures in under three months– which is 30 to 60 days less than the previous varieties, farmers now require just two months of rain before a potential harvest of ten 90-kilogram sacks from an acre after the third month.
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Mainly grown in the rain-starved areas of Ukambani and the Coast, pigeon peas have a ready demand with the country producing just 275,000 tonnes a year against an annual demand of one million tonnes.
Mbaazi-6 can be purchased from Kalro Mkulima shops.
Sorghum
Maturing in just two-and-a-half months, the highly drought-tolerant chalky white Gadam sorghum is one of the most sought-after grains in Kenya, being the main raw material for local beer makers and can also be ground into flour used to prepare ugali.
According to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), it yields on average 3.15 tonnes/ha and can thrive even in Kenya’s driest regions.
It can be bought from Kenya Seed Company or Simlaw Seed outlets in the country.
Green grams
Maturing in just 55 days, KS20, and 60 – 65 days, N26, these two green grams pass the early maturity and drought tolerance test with flying colours. They are also among the most high yielding green gram varieties in the Kenyan market, giving six and 5 – 7 90 kg bags in an acre respectively.
They grow best in drained sandy loam soils of dry regions such as Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi, Makueni, Tharaka, and Mbeere.
N26 can be purchased from Dryland Seed Limited, while KS20 can be gotten from Simlaw Seeds.
Sweet Potatoes
The KSP 20 sweet potato available at KARI Katumani matures in just 70 days is suited to the country’s dry regions and can be grown with few inputs. It has a yield potential of 8 to 10 tonnes per acre.
Cowpeas (Kunde 419)
Cowpeas are grown for both their leaves and seeds. The drought-tolerant KVU – 419 or Kunde 419 released by KARI-Katumani matures in just 2 to 2.5 months and has a grain yield of 1.2-1.5 tonnes per hectare.
Tomatoes (Raja F1)
Introduced to the Kenyan market by Advanta Seed in 2021, Raja F1 is the most drought-resistant tomato seed that is adapted to Kenya’s drier regions. It is among the quickest-growing varieties maturing just 65 days after transplanting. Raja yields 30-35 tons of fruit an acre.
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It is also resistant to Bacterial Wilt and Tobacco Mosaic Virus as well as having a high tolerance for fungal foliar diseases such as early blight and Septoria leaf spot.
Sukuma wiki (Mfalme F1)
Consumed by Kenyan households almost daily, sukuma wiki is among the most marketable crops right after a period of limited rains. The popular Mfalme F1 Kale matures in just 45 days yielding up to 15 tonnes an acre.