Kenya is bracing for a weaker maize harvest as prolonged dry conditions threaten production, with the government preparing to bring in supplies from the COMESA region to prevent a food crisis.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the expected drop in maize output has made imports necessary to close the gap between local supply and national demand.
Kagwe spoke on Thursday in Trans Nzoia County while inspecting the effect of the dry spell on maize farming and seed multiplication activities.
He said the government has already started putting safeguards in place to ensure the anticipated decline in production does not translate into a shortage of maize.
The CS said maize imports will form part of the measures being used to protect food supplies, with the government looking to countries within the COMESA region for additional stocks.
Kagwe also addressed concerns over maize seed availability, saying the country remains adequately supplied despite the difficult weather conditions.
He estimated that between 25 and 30 per cent of the crop grown for seed could be lost because of the dry conditions. However, he said the remaining stocks would be enough to meet farmers’ needs when the next planting season begins.
The Agriculture CS said unpredictable weather is increasingly affecting decisions around farming and livestock production, forcing the government to change how it prepares for possible disruptions.
He said climate change can no longer be treated as a future concern, with the government now depending on forecasts and guidance from the Kenya Meteorological Department to plan for drought, El Niño and other extreme weather events.
According to Kagwe, the government will maintain flexible plans that can be adjusted as weather conditions change.
He said contingency measures are being developed for both crop and livestock farmers to help them deal with increasingly uncertain weather patterns.
Beyond maize, Kagwe said Kenya will continue relying on imports for some food commodities where domestic production falls short of demand.
He cited wheat and rice among the products that will continue to be imported to bridge supply gaps.
Kagwe said Kenya produces only a limited amount of the wheat it consumes, making imports a long-standing part of the country’s food supply system.
He linked the rising demand for rice to population growth, increased urbanisation and changing food choices among the country’s youthful population.
The CS also reported a major improvement in sugar production, saying output had doubled for the first time.
He said the growth could help Kenya reduce its dependence on imported sugar and eventually do away with the need for imports.
Kagwe said the government remains focused on protecting the country’s food supply despite the challenging season ahead.
He said continued monitoring of weather conditions, adequate seed stocks and timely adjustments to government plans will be key to keeping the country food secure.