FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1998 -

KENYA

CURRENT SITUATION

Average to above average rains in June maintain favourable growing conditions for the 1998 main "long rains" cereal crops. Despite a delay in the start of the rainy season and subsequent abundant precipitation that hampered field operations in parts, the area planted to the main maize crop is estimated at average level. Providing favourable weather in the remaining of the season, this year’s cereal harvest, which is scheduled for October in the largest growing area of the Rift Valley, is expected to recover from the below average of last year. By contrast, planting of beans are sharply reduced reflecting shortages and higher cost of seeds following two consecutive reduced crops; the output is anticipated to be below average.

The overall food situation is satisfactory. Despite a reduced cereal harvest last year, large import of maize between April and June in response to the Government’s lift of maize import duties, have resulted in significant declines in prices, improving access to food of the majority of the population. However, in northeastern pastoral areas, where floods in late 1997 resulted in huge losses of animals, the food situation remains tight. Food prices have not decreased in these areas because poor road conditions hamper the transport of commercial and food aid supplies.