This advisory is a collaborative effort

of the following institutions International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

Makueni County Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security

Kenya Meteorological Service

CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS)

Farmers are also advised to take advantage of initia-

tives of credit provision from micro-finance institu-

tions such as ‘Kilimo Biashara Loans’ program to buy

the necessary inputs and increase productivity

Farmers are encouraged to seek advice and additional

information on application of climate information

from the local Agriculture extension office.

Additional Information

Important Note

The information provided here is based on the October-

December 2013 seasonal forecast issued by Kenya Mete-

orological Services.

The information should be used in conjunction with the

forecast updates issued by KMS and technical advice pro-

vided by the nearest agricultural extension office.

September 2013

Weather Based Agro-Advisory For Muvau/Kikumini

About this advisory

This advisory was developed on 20 th September 2013 by

a team of scientists from Kenya Meteorological Services

(KMS), Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), In-

ternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid

Tropics (ICRISAT), and officers from the Makueni County

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security. Due

consideration was also given to farmers’ preferences and

views on the adoptability and usefulness of these manage-

ment practices. This advisory presents the potential op-

tions for OND season of 2013.

The agro-advisory is mainly aimed at supporting the farm

level decision making in Muvau/Kikumini locations in Wote

division of Makueni County, in planning agricultural activi-

ties for the Oct-Dec 2013 Rain Season.

Performance of March-May 2013 Rain Season

The long-term average rainfall for Kambi Ya Mawe dur-

ing MAM season is 281 mm.

The county was predicted to receive near normal to

below normal (depressed) rainfall

As predicted, the area received about 85% (239.5 mm)

of the long-term average rainfall characterised by early

onset and poor distribution which resulted in general

poor crop performance.

Outlook for Oct-Dec 2013 Rain Season

The seasonal forecast issued by the Kenya Meteorologi-

cal Service indicates that there is a high probability to

get sufficient rainfall to grow a short duration crop of

about 60 days

Farmers are advised to prepare their farms at the earli-

est opportunity to enable them to dry-plant crops of

their choice by 4th week of October on 50% of their

farms. The rest of the farm should be planted at onset.

Beans should also be planted at onset.

Farmers are advised to carry out soil conservation and

water harvesting measures such as repairing their ter-

races; constructing tied ridges; mulching; road run-off

harvesting; retention ditches, roof-water harvesting,

water pans, earth dams

Farmers are encouraged to establish new fruit orchards

by digging holes and planting the trees seedlings at onset.

Water harvesting and manure application is encouraged

Farmers are encouraged to re-seed denuded lands, ter-

race and earth-dam embankments, using appropriate

pasture seeds,

Those opting to grow cotton may consider HART 89

Farmers are encouraged to construct or renovate hay

shades, de-worm and vaccinate their livestock

Farmers are encouraged to plant appropriate crops as

recommended below:

Agricultural implications of forecast Farmers opting to grow tubers are encouraged to con-

sider Sweet potatoes (KSP20, SPK004 & Kemb 10), Cas-

sava (Mucericeri)

Other suitable crops include local amaranthus, butter

nut, water melon and pumpkins.

Farmers are advised to use certified seeds from reputed

sources

Plant maize at one plant per hill at 90x30 cm or two

plants per hill at 90x60 cm, cowpea at 60x20 cm, beans

at 45x20 cm, sorghum at 60x20 cm for sole crop and

120x15 cm when intercropped with a row of legume,

pearl millet at 60x15 cm for sole crop and 120x15 cm

when intercropped with a row of legume, dolichos at

100 x50 cm planted as pure stand, green grams at 45x15

cm, finger millet at 30x10 cm, pigeonpea at 90x60 cm

and sweet potato at 75x50 cm, Cassava at 100X100 cm,

nappier grass (zai pit), pastures e.g. natural grasses such

mbeetwa (eragrostis superba), ndaata kivumbu (cenchrus

ciliaris), mbwea (panicum spp.)

For those with fruit (mango and orange) orchards or

bananas, we advise that they manure and construct

negarims around them to harvest water, before the start

of the season

Farmers are encouraged to use manure and chemical

fertilizers with water harvesting. DAP at planting and

top-dressing with CAN, is recommended.

Use NPK mixture at sowing and CAN for later applica-

tion for fruit trees. Also consider planting primed seed

treated with growplus.

Farmers are advised to watch out for aphids especially in

cowpea and fruit trees; army worms; stem borers and

termites in maize; shoot fly and stalk borers in sorghum

and report outbreaks to agricultural extension officers

Timely weeding, and regular scouting for insect pests is

recommended. Report outbreak of pests and diseases to

agricultural extension officers

This forecast is based on the existing conditions and

there is always a possibility for the trends to change.

Farmers are advised to keep monitoring the monthly and

weekly forecasts issued by meteorological department

Muvau/Kikumini in Makueni County is expected to re-

ceive near normal rainfall

The area is expected to realize the onset in the first to

second week of November and cessation in the second

to third week of December

Rainfall is predicted to be poorly distributed both in

space and time within the 2013 short rain season

Crop Variety

Sorghum Gadam, KARI Mtama 1, Seredo, Serena

Green grams N26, N22, KS20.

Pigeonpea Mbaazi I & II, Kat 60/8, ICEAP 00850, ICEAP 00554, ICEAP 00557

Cowpea M66, K80, KVU-27-1, KVU419 & KENKUNDE

Dolichos lab lab (Nzavi)

DL1002 & DL1009

Beans KAT X56, KAT B1 & 9, Mwitemania (GLP 92).

Maize DLC 1, KCB, KDV1, DH01, DH02.