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Drought Monitoring in the Diocese of Kitui-April 2008

(The Diocese comprises the districts of Kitui and Mwingi)

The following information is drawn from Official Government of Kenya Arid Lands Resource Management Project, which is funded by the World Bank. The full publication can be viewed on the website http://www.aridland.go.ke/bullentins/2008/april/kitui.pdf

• Heavy downpours were received in the mixed farming livelihood zone during the first week of the month.

• The situation of the natural vegetation and pastures continued to improve

• Water is plenty and accessible, the main sources of water currently being used the surface water holding facilities i.e. traditional river wells, rock catchments, pans/dams

• District wide the body conditions of all kinds of livestock is good despite and outbreak of FMD and LSD in Mutomo (Marginal mixed farming livelihood zone).

• Livestock are grazing in their normal grazing zones

• The milk yield and consumption declined. This decline is attributed to decline in birth rates and alert about the outbreak of the above mentioned diseases.

• The livestock prices and food crop prices in the district remained within the previous months ranges

• The main food crop (maize) in the farm ranges from ½ to 1 metre in height whereas beans and cowpeas are at flowering stage. In the farms there is a good crop of pigeon peas which is at flowering stage

• Children's nutrition as based on MUAC (mean upper arm circumference) measurements remained stable.

• Community based food targeting and distribution by Catholic Diocese of Kitui

• Distribution of food to the vulnerable groups in Yatta by ADRA

• Regular school feeding program went on well in all the covered schools

• Construction of sand dams by GOAL Ireland, ALRMP, SASOL

• Drilling of boreholes by National water cooperation

• Construction of semea drift by ALRMP.

• Repair of Kitui- Mutomo road by the department of public works

• Maintenance of Mulango- Kavisuni road by DASS and Ministry of public works

• Mass vaccination of livestock against FMD & LSD in Mutomo district

• Promotion of fish farming (introduction of a new livelihood)

• Distribution of dairy goats and training on dairy goat management.

• Extension in crop production supported by NALEP

• Promotion of legume production and marketing(lucrative legume project) by CRS through

• Community training on value addition of baobab and tamarids in Ikutha

District wide the situation of the natural vegetation and pastures is good. In the mixed farming livelihood zone the situation of the vegetation is good and improving. In the marginal mixed farming livelihood zone the situation varied from one division to the other, in Yongela and Kisayani locations the pasture situation is fair.

The water situation in the district improved. This improvement is attributed to the rains that were received during the month. The main source of water was traditional river wells and pans/dams.

Water is accessible for both livestock and domestic use. as indicated in the below table communities have switched to using surface water sources for their daily water needs as opposed to boreholes.

The improvement in the quantity of water has reduced the walking distances and enabled the communities to invest their time in cultivation

The livestock body conditions continued to improve in all the livelihood zones. This trend is expected to continue owing to the availability of forage and water at near distances

In the marginal mixed farming livelihood zone an outbreak of foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease in cattle were reported.

The stages of crop development vary from one livelihood zone to the other but overall crops are doing well in the mixed farming livelihood zone which covers Kitui district. In the marginal mixed farming livelihood zone which currently administratively covers Mutomo district most farmers did not plant and for those who planted their crop is fair and is showing signs of water stress.

Beans- the early planted crop is at flowering stage in most farms whereas the late planted crop is at germination stage. In the marginal mixed farming zone the crop is experiencing moisture stress.

Maize- in the mixed farming livelihood zone the early planted maize is one metre high and doing well.

Pigeon peas- this crop is doing well in the mixed farming livelihood zone and majority are at flowering stage. In the marginal mixed farming livelihood zone there were signs of stress in Ikutha, and in a few locations in Mwitika, and Mutomo divisions.

Cowpeas- they are vegetatively doing well and most households are consuming green cowpeas leaves.

Fruit crops – in the central divisions (Central, Matinyani & Chuluni) where most of the fruit farming is carried out, the main fruit crops which are currently ready are oranges, avocado and bananas

Baobab & Tamarids- commonly found growing in the marginal mixed farming zone; these fruits are ready and plenty.

The short season pigeon peas which is currently being consumed green has spared farmers the cost of buying beans

The outbreak of FMD and LSD in Mutomo district is threatening to erode the gains obtained in the livestock sector following the last two season’s successful rain seasons in the area.

If the current trend in the situation of food crops in the farms in mixed farming livelihood zone continues farmers expect to have a fair-good harvest.

The price of cattle continued to drop. This decline is attributed to fall in demand following the end of farming season. During the month of February the prices were high due to increased demand for bulls for draught power.

The price of goats remained stable. This stability is attributed to good body conditions and absence of goat diseases. The prices ranged from Kshs. 1,175 in Mutitu to kshs2,304 in Yatta division.

There was improved milk consumption in the district. This increment in consumption is attributed to increased milk production due to availability of feed and water.

The average price of a kilo of maize slightly dropped. This decline is attributed to increased supply of the commodity both at the household and markets following a fair harvest from the short rains in the mixed farming livelihood zone and isolated sections in the marginal mixed farming livelihood zone. However in some sections of the district the prices remained high and more so in Mutomo district where a kilo was retailing at Kshs.17. The trend is not normal.

The income from sale of crops compared to other sources declined form 5% in the previous month to 4% currently. This drop is attributed to decline in food stocks at the household levels and signs of poor performance of the long rains.

The percentage of income derived from sale of livestock remained constant (6%) as compared to the month of March.

Casual labour remained the main source of income for the community. The percentage of proceeds from casual labour rose to 40% from 36% reported in March. This rise is attributed to the to job opportunities in the farms during the planting and weeding periods. Others sources include, remittances 21%, salary 12%, petty trade 12% and sale of charcoal 5%.

The drop in the price of the main cereal crop in the district points at increased access to the commodity by the majority.

The price of livestock remained an indication that farmers are getting a fair bargain for their products.

The nutrition status for children under the age of five years remained within the previous months ranges. The highest levels of malnutrition were reported in Yatta and Ikutha divisions at 11% and 9% respectively. These particular divisions experienced a poor performance of the short rains thus are experiencing food shortages.

The table below shows the water sources in use and the % number of households accessing them during the month of April as compared to March