NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 18 — Maize seed experts have urged farmers to select and plant varieties suited to their local climatic conditions as the country prepares for the expected El Niño rains.

📻 Breaking It Down

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.

They noted that planting the right varieties would help boost food production and strengthen food security following widespread crop failure in some of Kenya’s major food-producing areas due to drought.

The experts spoke in Njoro, Nakuru County, during the International Maize Improvement Consortium for Africa (IMIC-Africa) Kenya Field Day coordinated by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

📌 What You Need to Know

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) Njoro Food Crop Research Centre Director Dr James Karanja said farmers need to understand the climatic conditions of their areas before selecting maize varieties.

“Most of the times maize crop fail because farmers insist on planting certain hybrid varieties regardless of their climatic conditions. There are many instances when farmers in arid and semi-arid areas insist on planting varieties meant for the Highlands,” Karanja said.

Karanja, who represented KALRO Director General Dr Patrick Ketiem during the event, said sufficient short-maturity maize seed varieties were available for farmers ahead of the anticipated heavy rains.

He said Njoro was selected as the venue for this year’s IMIC Kenya Field Day because its climatic conditions provide an important testing environment for maize varieties.

According to Karanja, the area’s relatively high temperatures and disease pressure expose maize varieties to challenging conditions, providing researchers with an opportunity to identify lines capable of performing under stress.

He said the 2026 drought had also provided researchers with valuable lessons on maize varieties capable of surviving dry conditions.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya