The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) on Tuesday, March 14, cautioned Kenyans that the expected long rains will be depressed and that drought-resistant crops would thrive during that period.
Speaking to the media, KMD Assistant Director of Climate Services, Research and Development, Richard Muita, stated that the agency advised farmers to consider hardy crops that do not need too much rain.
According to the weatherman, farmers should settle for beans, cassava and vegetables.
Muita explained that the chances of crops that need long rains to do well were minimal after a prolonged dry spell in most parts of the country in recent months.
"The level of moisture in the soil is normally zero. Although there may be storms at the start, they may not cancel out the deficit.
"We have beans, potatoes, cassava, vegetables, millet, and sorghum. They mature in two-three months and then you have food. You can use the surplus to sell and buy maize," he cautioned.
Muita also advised Kenyans to harvest water during that period with a number of regions such as Western Kenya expected to experience storms at the start of the rainy season.
On the other hand, he acknowledged that the weatherman had projected an El Nino in the year. Muita stated that the occurrence would bring changes in the rainfall experienced in the country.
"El Nino that is strong will lead to much more rain. Much more spread rains and water. Therefore there is a likelihood it will cancel off the drought conditions," he noted.
Kenya Met had earlier projected a 55 per cent chance for El Nino to occur between June to August and a 35 per cent between May to July.
On the other hand, the weatherman forecast that rains in Nairobi county would begin from the third week of March.
"The rainfall is expected to increase in intensity and spread to several places towards the end of the third week of March," read the statement in part.
