Maize Experts Urge Farmers to Plant Region-Specific Varieties Ahead of El Niño Rains
The experts said increased farmer sensitisation was necessary to help growers identify maize varieties that perform best in their respective regions, particularly during the short-rains season.
Nairobi, Kenya – Maize experts have advised farmers to plant region-specific maize varieties in anticipation of the anticipated El Niño rains, according to a report on September 18. Specialists emphasized that proper farmer education was crucial to help them identify maize varieties that perform optimally in their respective regions, especially during the short-rains season.
They argued that planting the right varieties would enhance food production and bolster food security, following severe crop failures in some of Kenya’s primary food-producing regions due to drought. At a field day organized by the International Maize Improvement Consortium for Africa (IMIC-Africa) in Njoro, Nakuru County, Dr James Karanja, Director of KALRO Njoro Food Crop Research Centre, emphasized the importance of understanding local climate conditions before selecting maize varieties.
Karanja, representing KALRO Director General Dr Patrick Ketiem, noted that drought-tolerant maize seed varieties were available for farmers to plant ahead of the expected heavy rains. He highlighted that Njoro, with its high temperatures and disease pressure, served as an ideal testing ground for maize varieties, providing researchers valuable insights into varieties capable of withstanding challenging conditions.
The 2026 drought offered researchers important lessons about maize varieties that can thrive in dry seasons and arid areas. CIMMYT Global Maize Programme scientist Dr Ashish Saxena emphasized that the maize inbreds displayed resilience despite the high disease pressure experienced in Njoro and the impacts of the 2026 drought. He stressed CIMMYT’s commitment to developing climate-resilient maize varieties, combating destructive crop diseases and pests, and enhancing agricultural research infrastructure in collaboration with institutions like KALRO and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS).
Following the field assessment, the team held a General IMIC Meeting to discuss the selection process and findings. They also planned to visit KALRO’s Naivasha facility to evaluate maize varieties for resistance to Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN), a disease that caused significant losses in Kenya’s maize-growing regions over a decade ago.
The experts stressed that sustained investment in research, farmer education, and access to appropriate seed varieties would be vital in safeguarding Kenya’s maize production against drought, diseases, and other climate-related challenges.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
