The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority has issued a new advisory encouraging farmers to make the most of the current rainfall, which is predicted to persist in various counties for the upcoming days.
The advisory, featured in the authority’s latest Agrometeorological Dekadal Bulletin, indicates rainfall anticipated over the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin and the South Rift Valley.
“Farmers should utilize the expected rainfall to facilitate crop development and pasture establishment,” stated KMSA.
According to the bulletin, rainfall is also projected to reach Coastal Counties including Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Malindi.
Additionally, portions of the Southeastern Lowlands and Northeastern Kenya, covering counties such as Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, and Kajiado, are also directed to utilize this period by attending to crops and preparing their land.
KMSA indicates that the continued rainfall will help sustain and enhance soil moisture conditions in areas receiving precipitation, directly supporting crop growth, pasture regeneration, and land preparation for farmers in those regions.
Despite the advisory, the meteorological service acknowledges that crops across many agricultural regions are currently performing well, with the ongoing rains playing a crucial role in sustaining growth and maintaining favorable conditions for farmers working their land this season.
Moreover, beans are at maturity or pre-maturity stages in several areas, harvesting of beans is already underway, and pasture conditions are expected to improve further in regions continuing to receive rainfall over the coming days.
KMSA also encourages livestock farmers to conserve pasture and harvest rainwater to support livestock during drier periods, particularly in northern counties such as Garissa, Mandera, Samburu, and West Pokot.
“Livestock farmers are advised to conserve pasture and harvest rainwater to support livestock during drier periods,” stated Kenya Met.
Meanwhile, the meteorological service also suggests farmers throughout the country to regularly monitor weather updates and work closely with agricultural extension officers to make timely, well-informed farm decisions for the remainder of the season.
This comes after a warning issued on May 21 that most of East Africa is facing a dry, hot June-to-September season, with Kenya likely to avoid the most severe rainfall predictions.
South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, and parts of western and coastal Kenya are among the most affected areas, with rainfall deficits expected to impact most severely between June and September.