Farmers have been challenged to come-up with strategies that will help increase agricultural productivity and build resilience to the effects of Climate Change.
Addressing the press at the metrological offices in Kapenguria town, Friday, West Pokot County Metrological Department Director, Wilson Lonyang’ole, urged farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, to boost production.
Lonyangóle regretted that Climate Change has led to pasture deterioration and water insecurity in the region and therefore there was need for farmers to learn how to cope with the situation.
“Farmers need to cope with the effects of Climate Change, by embracing climate smart activities which include constructing pits for water harvesting, cultivation of drought-tolerant crops, integrated soil fertility management, agroforestry, and conservation of tillage, among other measures,” he insisted.
He urged farmers in some dry parts of the County that have been experiencing inadequate rainfall perennially to grow climate-resistant grass seeds.
The Weatherman explained that during dry spell seasons, crops tend to undergo a stress known as “water stress,” making it hard for them to survive the effects of bad weather.
Lonyang’ole further encouraged the farmers to keep animals that are able to withstand extreme weather conditions for their domestic and commercial benefits.
He said the County Government was keen on improving the lives of the residents by providing access to climate-smart agriculture practices and discouraged the cutting of trees and charcoal burning.
“The County Government is doing a lot as of now to find ways to curb the effects of Climate Change across the County. Let us all fight Climate Change. Moreover, we need to have what we call a mindset change,” Mr. Lonyang’ole advised.
He lauded President William Ruto, for emphasizing the need to increase the forest cover by the year 2032 by planting 15 billion trees to conserve the environment.
The County weatherman said that the biting effects of Climate Change in the County had affected the rainfall pattern, caused floods, increased temperatures, and adversely affected livelihoods.
He at the same time gave a weather advisory for next week, indicating that the County will be experiencing dry weather.
Lanya’gole, however, explained some lowlands and highlands parts of the County will be experiencing occasional showers until the end of the week.
“We may experience wet spells again around the 17th to 21st of this month, but in few places,” he noted.
By Anthony Melly
