Farmers in Nakuru County are optimistic that the ongoing rains will bring their crops to maturity, even as prices of food stuffs stabilize.
The county has continued to receive dispersed rains into January as predicted by the Meteorological department last year, with areas of Elementaita, Kiambogo and Mastoo looking greener, compared to the same period last year.
Many farmers have harvested their beans, with a Kilo now retailing at Sh 80 since September 2023.
“Many farmers were not sure of the Elnino rains that were predicted and delayed in planting during the short season. We have however seen many go back to their farms as late as November and are expecting to harvest their beans.
A number have green maize and sorghum almost ready on their farms, a thing that was never witnessed in the past, signaling another harvest,” noted Kevin Ilakho, a cereals trader in Nakuru town.
Green maize is being sold for as low as Sh 10 a cob at Elementaita trading centre, with many attributing it to the constant supply from Mau Narok. The trading centre is one of the stopover farmers make while they ferry their crops to markets in Nakuru, Nairobi and other major towns.
“The demand for dry maize is low, compared to the same period last year. Families are also able to supplement their maize meals with potatoes that are readily available on their farms as a result of the continued rains,” added Ilakho.
According to a report released by the Office of the Auditor General in December, 2023, Nakuru County farmers were the second biggest beneficiaries of the subsidized fertilizer program after Uasin Gishu County receiving over 440,000 bags of the 3.4 million bags supplied across the country.
The uptake has been attributed to continued collaboration between the County and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to ensure the continuous last-mile distribution of fertilizer across the county.
The program, that has eased farmer’s access to the subsidized fertilizer by having the fertilizer near them and in good time, has witnessed the opening of satellite depots in Mutungati for Bahati Sub-County, Kiambogo-Gilgil, Kamara in Kuresoi as well as Mauche in Njoro. Other Stores are in Molo and Kiptororo in Kuresoi North.
By Anne Sabuni
