Farmers in Lugari Sub-County have been advised to plant early maturing seed varieties in order to compete with the already late long rains season.
According to the Sub County agricultural officer Kakai Wasike, the delay and poorly predicted rain patterns may not favour farmers who insist on planting late maturing seeds varieties.
Kakai said that farmers who have always planted early maturing seed varieties have had bumper harvests as opposed to the belief that it has insignificant yields.
Even though late maturing seed varieties have potential of high yields compared to early maturing seed varieties, Kakai maintained that the difference in harvest is minimal.
“When you plant early maturing seed varieties you’ll be avoiding so many risks especially at the time weather rain patterns are highly unpredictable,” Wasike said.
The SCAO called on the farmers to update themselves with current researched crops and seed varieties which have elements of disease resistance, early maturity and high yields.
He said the rapid changes of climate and weather patterns which can be associated with the global warming crisis should be an awakening call for farmers to remain updated on emerging farming techniques and how to deal with new challenges.
Wasike however, asked the Lugari farmers to plant three months maturity crops which can least disappoint at the time of delayed long rains.
He also asked farmers to utilize the rains that have been witnessing in the Sub-County from last week for planting.
Wasike warned that the weatherman has predicted irregular distribution of rains across the country and that Lugari farmers shouldn’t waste any time to plant.
The SCAO was speaking after receiving insecticides against Fall Army worm from Plant Protection Services Division, State Department for Crop Development.
“All crop field officers have been put on high alert to report on time any case of Fall Army worm so that we can respond appropriately,” said Kakai.
