In
the previous years Ukambani has witnessed low harvests which have resulted in
famine and pangs of hunger for many residents. In efforts to adapt to the
situation massive water harvesting projects have been initiated by individual
households, County Governments, National government and Non Governmental
organizations. However all this efforts went short of providing sufficient food
for over 1 million residents of Ukambani region
News
from Kenya Metrological Department that the region and Kenya in general will
receive El nino rains characterized by above average rainfall were received
with doubt and hesitation because many a time the department and media have
misled farmers. This was worsened when the expected rains failed to start when
they had been predicted but determination of farmers to harvest the much they
could was impregnable. 
From
late October onwards the rains poured in impressive manner which grounded
farmers in the farms. With increase in information sharing farmers planted
variety of crops to diversify risk and also hybrid crops which are able to
withstand erratic rain patterns and yield good returns. Maize crop took the
biggest share of with varieties such as KDV 02, PANNER 4M, PIONNER, DECUP among
other resilient varieties. 
As
the rains continued, farms maintained admirable green canopy while farmers took
every opportunity to weed, add both organic and inorganic fertilizers, and
spray chemicals. Casual labour provided the much needed employment opportunity
to the resident while agro vets made good sales. The reward for the efforts is
now visible and farms across the three counties are loaded with yields clear
indication of good times ahead
With
this great harvest around the corner, the ball is in the County government
court to ensure farmers get the right pesticides to protect their yields from
dubious brokers who emerge from horizons only to buy the yields at through away
prices only to bring the same yield back at very high prices. It’s time that
County ministries for Agriculture stood up to be counted
God
Bless Ukambani
Muendo
Nyamu
Human rights and Environmental activist
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