Better prices see farmers dump maize for barley crop
What you need to know:
- Consequently, the acreage under barley production in the region increased from 3,012 to 21,630 hectares last season, according to agricultural report released in January.
- “We are required to use specific chemicals by the beer making companies, which are expensive than those in the local market,” said Mr Patrick Kemboi, a barley farmer from Sergoit, Uasin Gishu County.
- “Demand for the seeds of this new variety of sorghum is so high that we have seen sales go up from 24 tonnes a few years ago to 1,000 tonnes,” said Kari Director, Dr David Miano.
Maize farmers in the Rift Valley are shifting to barley and sorghum driven by attractive producer prices and prompt payments.
The farmers have said that the increasing demand for barley by brewers such as East African Breweries Limited and Keroche Breweries, has resulted in improved cultivation of the crop.
“The unpredictable market prices for maize is rendering cultivation of the crop unprofitable resulting in most farmers shifting to other investments,” said Mr George Kili, a farmer from Uasin Gishu County who has planted 500 acres of barley.
Consequently, the acreage under barley production in the region increased from 3,012 to 21,630 hectares last season, according to agricultural report released in January.
Barley output increased from 92,434 bags to 627,705 bags as many maize and wheat farmers turned to cultivation of the crop.
The crop is grown under contractual agreement with the beer brewing companies based on their demand.
The main growing areas are Naivasha, Molo, Narok, Nakuru, Kuresoi, Uasin Gishu and Samburu.
“We are required to use specific chemicals by the beer making companies, which are expensive than those in the local market,” said Mr Patrick Kemboi, a barley farmer from Sergoit, Uasin Gishu County.
RESEARCH
A bag of barley goes for Sh3,400 due to increased demand while a similar unit of maize attracts Sh1,600.
Barley and sorghum production in semi-arid parts of the county could also increase following partnership between the European Union and the ministry of Agriculture to promote cultivation of the orphan crops.
The European Union has donated Sh500 million to Kenya Agriculture Research Institute (KARI) to conduct research with a view to improve production and fight diseases in crops, livestock and poultry for the next four years.
“We are partnering with Kenyan organisations and the government to build the research backbone to increase food supply and production,” said Erik Habers, head of development at the European Union.
The partnership between European Union and Kari has led to the development of fast-maturing gadam variety of sorghum, which is grown in most Eastern parts of Kenya.
“Demand for the seeds of this new variety of sorghum is so high that we have seen sales go up from 24 tonnes a few years ago to 1,000 tonnes,” said Kari Director, Dr David Miano.
The availability of certified seeds and ready market has seen the acreage under sorghum cultivation in Rift Valley increase from 9,960 hectares to 13,677 hectares while the production has improved from 18,740 to 146,180 bags in the last two years.
“Sorghum production in the region has increased by 37.3 per cent while the production has gone up by 34.4 per cent,” the annual agricultural crop production report noted.
According to the report, the region targets to produce 316,886 bags of sorghum annually while the acreage under cultivation is set to increase to over 24,000 hectares as more farmers shift to cultivation of orphan crops.
