Agriculture PS Paul Rono
Agriculture PS Paul Rono has assured farmers that the government has secured enough fertiliser for the upcoming March-April-May long rains season.
The Ministry of Agriculture has procured 5.9 million bags of fertiliser to support the planting season.
In a phone interview with the Star, the PS confirmed that over two million bags have already been distributed to more than 179 National Cereals and Produce Board depots and cooperatives.
The distribution primarily targets counties currently in the planting phase, including Bomet, Narok, Kisii, Nyamira, Bungoma and parts of Kericho and Nakuru.
“These distributions focus on counties where planting is ongoing during the long rains season. We encourage farmers to take advantage of the rains, which have already begun, to start planting,” Rono said.
To further support farmers, the ministry is working to open additional last-mile stores in collaboration with county governments.
These efforts aim to improve access to fertilisers and other essential farm inputs, such as seeds.
Kenya Dairy Board managing director Margaret Kibogy noted the importance of conserving feeds during the rainy season, especially for dairy farmers.
“The biggest challenge in dairy farming is feeds, which is why we struggle with consistent milk production. During the rainy season, we encourage farmers to embrace silage making and the production of grasses. This will help them store feed properly while avoiding issues like aflatoxin contamination,” Kibogy said.
She added that the rainy season offers an opportunity to improve feed quality, which directly impacts milk supply.
“This is the season when we have sufficient milk for both local consumption and export markets. When there is surplus milk, we can process it into powder to use during lean periods,” she added.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecasted near-to-above-average rainfall for most parts of the country during the March-April-May 2025 season.
According to KMD director Dr David Gikungu, areas such as the Lake Victoria Basin, South Rift Valley, most of the highlands west of the Rift Valley, the southern parts of the Southeastern lowlands, and northern regions of northwestern Kenya are expected to receive above-average rainfall.
However, the forecast also indicates below-average rainfall for the Central Rift Valley, Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi county), parts of the Northwest, Coastal region, Southeastern lowlands, and isolated areas in the highlands west of the Rift Valley.
Some regions, particularly northeastern Kenya and the north Coast, may experience below-average rainfall.
The KMD predicts that rainfall will begin as early as February in Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Narok, Bomet, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Nakuru, Baringo, and parts of Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, and southern West Pokot.
In other areas, rainfall will start in March, with the peak expected in April.
The March-May long rains season is crucial for the
agricultural sector in Kenya, and the meteorological department’s outlook suggests both positive and negative
impacts across various sectors.