Laikipia Hit By Maize Disease

The farmers said that the disease identified as Maize Lethal Necrosis has affected over 80 % of their crop, and fear they will incur huge losses. There are also concerns of a food shortage.

Laikipia County Executive Member in charge of Agriculture, Duncan Mwariri said almost the entire population in the county relies on maize for food.

As part of the measures, Mwariri said the county government has set aside Ksh5 million to roll out programs to sensitize farmers on the need to diversify to other crops.

David Mwaura, a farmer at Muthengera area recounted how the disease spread from a neighbouring 1,500-acre maize plantation to his farm. It destroyed his entire crop.

Last month, a section of county leaders met officers from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute KARI to deliberate on how to tackle the disease.

Among the resolutions passed during the meeting held in Naivasha was that the two institutions develop new varieties of maize that would be resistant to the disease.

By Rehema Juma.