Farmers in Naivasha have adopted innovative strategies to combat the challenges posed by adverse weather on their crops.
Notably, they have begun utilising weather manipulation, which has proven to be an effective approach, especially for those involved in floriculture.
With short rains affecting many regions of the country, Naivasha is particularly vulnerable to hailstorms. These storms can be devastating for flower farming since it relies heavily on greenhouses, which often suffer damage during such weather events.
Hailstorms generally occur when raindrops are lifted by thunderstorm updrafts into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere.
Because of the extreme temperatures, the raindrops freeze and fall to the surface as small blocks of ice.
To farmers practicing floriculture, hailstorms are a sworn enemy since they tend to perforate the nylon covers of the greenhouses and subsequently destroy the crops inside.
The phenomenon of weather manipulation has proven to be a valuable tool for farmers, as they have developed systems that accurately predict the likelihood of hailstorms. This gives them a significant advantage.
Once a cloud with unfavourable characteristics is identified, an aircraft equipped with silver iodide dispensing systems is deployed to treat the clouds. The application of silver iodide enhances the cloud's capacity to produce rain, a process known as cloud seeding.
Silver iodide acts as a 'freezing nucleus,' providing a particle around which moisture can accumulate. When the particle becomes heavy enough, it falls to the ground as rain. Cloud seeding is a common practice in various regions around the world, with some farmers using this method to supplement the natural water supply for surrounding communities.
The floriculture sector is one of the crucial export products that generate approximately $1.09 billion (about Ksh161 billion in the current exchange rates) annually, with most of the flowers exported to European markets such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Norway.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department projects that moderate rainfall will continue in most parts of the country.
According to a weather forecast issued on Monday, November 25, certain areas will experience heavy rains and thunderstorms, with precipitation exceeding 50 mm within 24 hours.
A few areas in the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the Rift Valley, including Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, and West Pokot counties, will experience heavy rainfall from November 25 to Wednesday, November 27.
