After-effects of the El-Nino Rains in the Country

The meteorological department has sent out an alert concerning possibilities of shortage of rain in some parts of the country due to the long el-nino rains that were experienced towards the end of last year and early this year.

Parts of the country that may be affected include the eastern region, thus the Director of Kenya Meteorological Services James Kongoti has advised farmers in the noted areas to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture so as to clear any shortcomings that may affect farming during the usual March-May long rains. They will also have to seek advice from the relevant bodies and stakeholders on the appropriate drought resistant crops to plant.

Kongoti stated that regions like the Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western, the Coastal strip and the Central Highlands will experience some average rainfall, in the months of March, which is also the planting season in most of these regions. He advised farmers to take advantage of the rains through farming the various crops suitable in these regions so as to curb cases of food insecurity in the country.

It has been disclosed that the expected late onset and poor distribution of the seasonal rainfall may also delay the normal planting season for the agricultural areas in the country. The most devastating thing is that livestock in the semi and semi-arid areas are likely to suffer due to shortage of pastures, which may lead to a large number of them dying thus bringing about losses to the pastoralist communities.

The report indicated that most parts of the eastern region may remain to be dry during the whole month of march, then experience some rain in the month of April. This information was released early enough so that people in the various region prepare themselves.

Article by Vera Shawiza.