FEATURED STORY

Low rainfall forecast sets stage for high food prices

Share
In areas where good rainfall performance is expected, the ministry of environment and natural resource should encourage residents to put in place soil conservation measures to minimize environmental degradation caused by soil erosion
Share

The March-May 2017 seasonal rainfall is expected to be generally poor over most parts of the country, Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has said. The most affected regions will be in the eastern sector particularly the Arid and Semi-Arid Areas (ASAL).

Giving a weather outlook for the 2017 long rains season the Director of Meteorological Services, Peter Ambenje said, however, few parts of the western Kenya are likely to experience average rainfall, with farmers being urged to take advantage of the expected rains.

“Highly depressed rainfall is expected over most parts of the country during March 2017. Sunny and dry weather conditions will be dominant over northeastern and the coastal region during the month. A pick up in rainfall is however, likely to occur over western Kenya during the month,” said Ambenje.

The Director said the situation was alarming in the North Eastern region where distribution of relief food has been necessitated to avert loss of human lives and livestock. Ambenje warned that the expected poor distribution of the seasonal rainfall is however likely to negatively impact most agricultural areas and the livestock sector.

He noted that the already depressed rainfall has resulted to water scarcity, lack of pasture for livestock and food insecurity especially in the North Eastern, coast and eastern areas. “In areas where good rainfall performance is expected, the ministry of environment and natural resource should encourage residents to put in place soil conservation measures to minimize environmental degradation caused by soil erosion,” he added.

Farmers are advised to liaise with the state department of agriculture to get advice on appropriate seeds that are drought resistant in order to make best use of anticipated poorly distributed and depressed rainfall. The country experienced below normal rainfall during the October-December 2016 short rain season resulting to decreased food supply and water in the country.

[crp]



Written by
BT Correspondent -

editor [at] businesstoday.co.ke

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Us

Related Articles
Data protection
FEATURED STORY

Why Protecting Your Data is Key in Kenya’s Digital Era

Data protection and privacy in Kenya is enshrined in the Constitution, under...

Computer
FEATURED STORY

List Of Computer Misuse Offenses That Could Land You In Trouble With Govt

The advent of the internet is one of the greatest invention of...

The Origins of Commercial Banking in Kenya
ECONOMYFEATURED STORY

The Origins of Commercial Banking in Kenya

Kenya is rich in type, number and sophistication of financial institutions. The...

What to Know about President Ruto’s Planned Nationwide Livestock Vaccination Programme
FEATURED STORYNEWS

What to Know about President Ruto’s Planned Nationwide Livestock Vaccination Programme

The nationwide livestock vaccination programme “against diseases,” planned for January next year,...