Banana farmers lose crops in freak weather

Banana farmers from Mujwa, Imenti Central Sub-County of Meru County are counting losses after strong winds destroyed their plantations.
According to residents the wind brought down many banana plants in the region.
Joseph Mbaya a banana farmer said the windstorm experienced on Friday destroyed their banana crop which is an economic mainstay for the area.
Mbaya noted that many residents depend on banana farming which they sell on monthly to traders from Gikomba market ,Nairobi and Kongowea market in Mombasa.
He pointed out that the residents are having a hard time uprooting the destroyed banana plants.
“My five-acre banana plantation has been totally destroyed,” he lamented adding that it will cost him a lot of money to uproot the destroyed stems and replant afresh.
He observed that even as schools reopen for second term on Monday, many parents may not afford to pay school fees as their only source of income has gone down the drain.
Jenifer Gakii another affected farmer pointed out that to uproot the destroyed banana stems and plant afresh is a costly venture to many locals.
Gakii expressed concern citing that local banana farmers are staring at starvation after their crops were destroyed.
She called on the Meru County government to assist locals even as they embark on replanting fresh bananas.
By Muguongo Judy