West Pokot Farmers Delay Beans Planting as Prolonged Rains Stall Maize Harvest

In Summary

• Farmers in West Pokot have delayed beans planting due to prolonged rains.
• Maize crops remain green and unharvested, blocking land preparation.
• Persistent rains raise aflatoxin risks and prevent proper maize drying.
• Beans planting is discouraged by waterlogged soils and cold conditions.
• Farmers call on government to provide drying facilities for maize.

Small-scale farmers in West Pokot County have been forced to abandon their usual bean planting season as prolonged rains continue to delay the drying and harvesting of maize.

A visit to several agricultural zones revealed that despite maturity, maize crops remain green and moist, with the persistent rainfall making it difficult for farmers to prepare their land for beans. Traditionally, many households clear their maize fields around August and September to intercrop or shift into bean production.

“This year the rains have gone on unusually long, and my maize is still wet. Harvesting now would expose it to aflatoxin because there’s no sunshine to dry it,” said Mercy Juma, a farmer from Keringet, West Pokot Sub-County.

She explained that planting beans under the current conditions would not be viable, as the soils are waterlogged and temperatures remain low. “With this humidity, beans are likely to stunt, rot, or die. It would also mean spending a lot of money on chemicals just to keep them alive,” she added.

Experts note that beans thrive in moderate rainfall and good sunshine. However, the present weather has created poor conditions for germination. While farmers usually record good harvests during the short-season bean crop, planted after maize harvest, this year’s delays could mean huge losses.

Farmers are now calling on the government to invest in maize driers to protect the harvest if rains persist, warning that without intervention, both maize and bean yields may be compromised