Farmers can harvest as early as November as the ongoing off-season rains have provided enough moisture to plant crops in September. This early planting will also see farmers avoid losses from the upcoming dry short rains.
According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, ideal rains for agriculture are expected over the remaining days of August, September, and October in Nyandarua, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Siaya, Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Nyamira, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and the western parts of Laikipia.
While rains normally finish in June and soils are usually dry with farmers having to wait until October for the onset of rains to start planting, this year’s extended rains they do not have to wait.
“I’d advise farmers in these counties to not wait for the early October rains to start planting their farms but rather start stowing their crops in September and use up the moisture their soils already hold from the ongoing rains. Putting off the planting season awaiting the usual planting patterns could limit their yields as this year’s short rains are expected to be limited,” counseled Makarios Zakayo, a climate research officer.
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According to independent agronomist David Jones, delayed planting diminishes yield, especially in legumes such as beans, peas, peanuts, canola, and soybean crops as flowering and pod filling occurs after the rains have subsided.
“Some of the best yielding crops are those that looked shabby at the start, with slightly uneven germination, but their growth rockets as they utilise all the moisture further along in the growing season. Importantly, planting a crop in September means you will not be harvesting it in March at the start of the long rains season. Cereal farmers who have cover cropped during the fallow season should consider cutting down the cover now to use the moisture in their soils as planting next month could greatly limit their yields,” he explained.
These rains are expected to be accompanied by warmer-than-usual temperatures in parts of the country, further enhancing crop growth, except for parts of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet, where temperatures are anticipated to be near the August to October long-term average.
The Kenya meteorological department has however warned farmers in the highlands East of the Rift Valley and the Central Rift Valley, particularly in Nyandarua and parts of Laikipia Counties of potential hailstorms during the August to September rains. These hailstorms pose a potential risk of crop destruction, which could significantly impact agricultural yields and livelihoods.
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Farmers in the Coastal region are however on the wrong end of the stick again with the region expected to remain generally dry over the entire August to October months. Nyeri, Kirinyaga,
Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Nairobi Counties, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Taita Taveta, and parts of Kajiado county, and the Central Highlands are likely to experience cool and cloudy conditions with occasional rains in early September.