Outbreak of maize disease destroys crops in Elgeyo Marakwet

Maize farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet County are counting their losses after smut head disease destroyed their crops.

So far, the wind borne disease has ravaged 10 10-acre farms, dealing a huge blow to the county’s food security.

Elgeyo Marakwet County Executive in charge of agriculture Mr. Yatich Kiprop said all affected farms are to be destroyed immediately to avoid further spread of the disease.

Because the disease is wind borne, Kiprop says all affected crops must be either burnt or buried. The CEC further says that the affected farms are not to be cultivated for the next three years or more.

Farmers are now pointing an accusing finger at the seed supplier, demanding compensation for their loss. They say farmers who bought a different breed of seeds have not been affected.

The owners of the affected farms have now been given two days to destroy the affected crops.