RATIN

Laikipia maize yield to drop, armyworm, poor rains

Posted on August, 1, 2017 at 10:20 am



The maize harvest in Laikipia county is expected to fall this year, following invasion by the fall armyworm and low rainfall. County Director of Agriculture Elizabeth Mwangi told the Star although control measures are having some success, there will be a significant drop in maize yield.

She projected a decline of 500,000 bags. “Our annual maize production is between 1.2 and 1.5 million bags, but this year we shall not attain one million bags, owing to low rainfall and the fall armyworm attack. The pest has attacked key maize production areas of Ng’arua, Marmanet and Ngobit and we can only expect a poor harvest,” Mwangi said.

The armyworm continues to wreak havoc on maize crops in the region with the latest cases being reported in Mwituria, Laikipia Central. Statistics from the area agriculture office indicate that 750 acres have been affected by the pest in the past few weeks. They are present in major maize-growing areas across the county.

Farmer Phillip Maitima yesterday said he noticed the pests on Monday last week and at first he thought it was the maize stalk borer, but he was shocked by their huge numbers.

Source: Business Daily