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Kenya to Lose Sh13.6 Billion as Disasters Raid Farms

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5 years ago

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The country is expected to lose approximately Sh13.6 billion worth of farm produce this year due to the locust invasion, floods and restriction of movement imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, in a report to the Senate Agriculture committee on the state of food security in Kenya said about 82,801 hectares under rain-fed and irrigated crops were affected in 29 counties.

The report also indicates that 88,460 households were affected by either floods or the Covid-19 pandemic that in turn hurt their food security.

In regard to Covid-19, the report says food output and supply during the year is likely to be affected due to inadequate utilisation of recommended inputs as a result of depleted household resources.

“The percentage loss was approximately between 70 [and] 90 per cent depending on area and type of crop.Overall, the country is expected to lose an estimated Sh13.6 billion worth of crop produce during the year,” reads the report.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Although the ministry said it is yet to conclude the impact assessment of the locust invasion, it projected that at least 40 per cent of the cropped area will be lost, exposing thousands of households to food and nutrition security.

They will, therefore, need government aid to maintain their production capacity in subsequent seasons.

Mr Munya has, however, assured Kenyans that the country is food-secure despite the movement restrictions.