Strong winds, rain destroy ADC maize crop

The ADC maize crop that was destroyed by hailstones and strong winds in Trans-Nzoia County.  [PHOTO: OSIDE OBARE/STANDARD]

By OSINDE OBARE

Over 800 acres of maize belonging to the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) in Trans-Nzoia County were destroyed by devastating winds and hailstones.

ADC officials said the Saturday incident affected three farms used to grow seed maize. The maize is usually delivered to the Kenya Seed Company (KSC) for processing.

The regional manager, Mr Samuel Bundotich, said the affected farms were Sabwani, Ole Katongo and Chorlem. Sabwani was the most hard hit with its entire crop being destroyed.

Bundotich said the destroyed crops were expected to produce over 800,000kgs of seed maize at the end of the season and estimated  the cost of the damage to be Sh53 million.

“It is a disaster to us. We lost all the hybrid 614 variety on the 215 hectares at Sabwani farm while at Ole Katong, 63.3 hectares were destroyed. It’s only in Chorlem where the damage wasmitigated,” he said.

The manager added that this would negatively affect the amount of seed maize produced this season considering the fact that the corporation is the major grower of seed maize for KSC. “We produce ten million seeds per season and this destruction will greatly affect our output for this year and will lower our revenues,” added Bundotich.

He said this was the first such incident on ADC farms. “This is an incident that has never happened, it could have been caused by the effects of climate change.”

He said the affected crop was at an advanced stage of pollination and can  not be salvaged.

“We pray that the remaining crop on the other farm will not be affected. We are liaising with Kenya Planters Health Inspectorate Services to monitor the growth of the surviving crop,” added the manager.

Bundotich further said that several trees that brace against wind were uprooted by the strong winds.

Trans-Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba and County Commissioner Charity Chepkong’a regretted the incident.