Some farmers in Machakos County are preparing for a bumper harvest after adhering to the weatherman’s advisory on crucial climate information.
The same farmers had also benefitted from several trainings by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) on what to plant to avoid famine.
Justus Kituku, a farmer from Katoloni in Machakos, is about to harvest several bags of maize and beans from his 3-acre farm, which he planted in December last year during the depressed rains.
He acknowledges the impact of the training and guidance he received from the Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP) by ICPAC and agriculture stakeholders on what crops to grow and when to plant in order to have enhanced yields.
Kituku, who doubles up as a pastor, spoke to the media on his farm, where he noted that his family and part of his congregation depend on him for food, so the several bags of maize and beans he is about to harvest will be enough for everyone.
The evidently jovial Kituku said that by adhering to the guidance from the experts, he was able to minimise the likelihood of famine on his farm.
He pointed out that the training, which was held in 2024, brought together several Agriculture stakeholders, such as Crop and Livestock experts, fisheries and Environmental Department, where they advised farmers to plant drought-tolerant crops due to the changing weather patterns.
At the time, he noted, the Meteorological department had also predicted depressed October-November-December (OND) rains.
“I appreciate the PSP training for enlightening me and other farmers because I used the information I got from the training to plant my crops, and I am about to have a bountiful harvest,” said Kituku.
As extreme weather persists, pastor Kituku added that they were also advised to be keen on the type of soil and the level of moisture it holds before planting so as to bear good-quality produce.
He also advised other farmers on the importance of climate information and following weather advisories.
The farmer also cautioned them against relying on traditional weather patterns since climate change has had a major effect on the agricultural sector.
Kituku said he is looking forward to maximising the long rains of March-April-May (MAM) in Machakos.
He said this time he will rely even more on the advisories by the weather department and other agricultural stakeholders to help him make sound decisions on what to grow.
Another PSP beneficiary, Jeremiah Katulu, who is a small-scale farmer from Katangi in Yatta, said he also followed the weather advisories, and so far he has harvested enough beans and cowpeas to fend for his family for several weeks.
Like Kituku, he is looking forward to the next season and the stakeholder’s guidance on how to prepare for this planting season.
Machakos County Director of Meteorological Services Dominic Kyalo, on his part, said that the county should expect fair to poor April-March-May rains.
The rains are expected to start on the last week of March to the first week of April and continue on to the month of May.
Kyalo disclosed that the department will soon be releasing a detailed forecast to allow the stakeholders to advise on the right seeds and crops to plant.
“Once we release the forecast, we will coordinate with other stakeholders, such as ICPAC, who support the PSP training, farmers and agricultural officers, so that we discuss the agro-weather advisory to be used for farming and time to prepare the farms will be advised,” said the director.
By Anne Kangero