Poor farm yields in Kitui caused by disregarding weather forecast, Met Boss

Kitui County Director of Meteorological Services Daniel Mbithi noted that this will lead to food and water scarcity. He also discouraged farmers to avoid planting food crops after onset saying that they should do dry planting instead. Dry planting is whereby farmers plant crops before it rains in order to maximize the short rain season.

Mbithi's concerns were echoed by Kitui County CEC for Agriculture and Livestock, Stephen Kimwele. Kimwele expressed regrets that the poor OND rains will translate to poor harvests.

The Kenya Meteorological Department noted that there was delayed onset of rains in Kitui County. He reported that the earliest onset was on November 5 , 2024 while the late onset was up to November 12.

Due to poor rain patterns, the weatherman advised residents in Kitui to plant drought tolerant crops like sorghum, cowpeas, millet and mung beans."Those who planted early have the prospect of getting yield, especially those who planted drought -escaping crops", he said in a phone interview.

CEC Kimwele spoke to MWINGI TIMES at his Thitha home area in Mwingi Central sub county as he  shared New Year's food stuff to residents.

The County Government of Kitui supports irrigated agriculture, the CEC said. He added that due to deteriorating climate change condition, rain-fed agriculture was untenable.

"I plead with farmers in Kitui County to take up climate smart agriculture going forward due to climate change. Governor Dr Julius Malombe's administration is encouraging irrigated agriculture", said CEC Kimwele.