Local farmers devastated by total failure of annual crops: 'Threatens this economic foundation'
The changing climate has forced Kenyan farmers to shift gears, devastating a once-thriving industry.
Plum orchards have gone belly up in Nyandarua County, and those who depend on the delicious fruit to make a living have turned to other produce, Nation Media Group reported. Plums boosted the local economy by $1.1 million every year from 2018 to 2022, supporting more than 5,000 smallholder farmers and their families.
"The current decline threatens this economic foundation while simultaneously depriving communities of a crucial nutritional resource," the outlet stated, noting plums' vitamin A "is critical for young children and breastfeeding mothers."
Plums are also full of calcium, potassium, and vitamins C and K. The crops failed because they were inundated with rain — including during dry seasons and by 50% over yearly averages — and cold, Nation reported. Before the collapse, harvests had declined by 20% annually for three years in one area.
"Scarcity of this fruit is a threat to human health, it shows how the effects of climate change are affecting health and nutrition," nutritionist Emma Kaberi told Nation. "We hope that other fruits are not as adversely affected by the weather patterns this year."
It's affecting the tourism industry as well, with a 40% drop in seasonal bookings during plum harvest periods.
"Plums buyers gave us some good business," hotelier Francis Mwaura told Nation.
The farmers have no choice but to find alternatives. And while the changing climate — the average yearly temperature in the region has risen 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) over the last 10 years, per Nation — may have taken plums away, it has also given.
"New fruit trees that were never grown are now doing well," Leshau Ward agricultural officer Anthony Wangai told Nation. "We have noticed a trend where trees like avocados that prefer hotter areas are now doing very well in Nyandarua, a clear testimony of climate change."
Do you worry about the quality of the air inside your home?
Yes — often
Yes — but only sometimes
Only when it's bad outside
No — I never do
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Pear, cherry, and apple trees are also at risk, though apple farming is offering a path forward, too. The county is diversifying, and apples are resilient and backed by research. Each tree could also increase a farmer's revenue by 40%, according to Nation.
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service ensures seedlings are climate-appropriate, and the researchers turn the farmers on to new technologies.
"With ongoing research work on apples, the grafted varieties will beat the vagaries of weather," Wangai told Nation. "That way, chances of massive crop failure due to climate change-related factors are minimal."
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Storm tracker: 2 tropical depressions could form in Pacific in coming days
There are two systems brewing off the southern coast of Mexico that could strengthen into tropical depressions as soon as this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said Friday morning. According to the hurricane center, showers and thunderstorms have "increased a little on the eastern side of a broad trough of low pressure" located a few hundred miles south of southern Mexico. The NHC says environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development and a "short-lived tropical depression is likely to form over the weekend" while the system moves west-northwestward just off the coast of Mexico. "Interests in southern and southwestern Mexico should monitor the progress of this system," hurricane center forecasters said Friday, giving the system a 70% chance of formation through the next seven days. Additionally, the NHC said a "broad area of low pressure" has formed along the western side of the elongated trough south of Mexico. The hurricane center said "continued gradual development" of the system is expected and a tropical depression is "likely to form over the weekend or early next week." Hurricane center forecasters give this system an 80% chance of formation through the next seven days. While the 2025 Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, the Atlantic season officially began on June 1 and will last through the end of November. Active hurricane weather typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its prediction for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season on Thursday, May 22, predicting an above-average season, with 13 to 19 named storms and six to 10 hurricanes. This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Prepare now for hurricanes: Here's what you should do to stay safe before a storm arrives Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Storm tracker: 2 tropical depressions could form in Pacific
USA Today
20 hours ago
- USA Today
Storm tracker: 2 tropical depressions could form in Pacific in coming days
Storm tracker: 2 tropical depressions could form in Pacific in coming days Show Caption Hide Caption How to prepare for a hurricane It's important to take these steps before hurricane season. There are two systems brewing off the southern coast of Mexico that could strengthen into tropical depressions as soon as this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said Friday morning. According to the hurricane center, showers and thunderstorms have "increased a little on the eastern side of a broad trough of low pressure" located a few hundred miles south of southern Mexico. The NHC says environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development and a "short-lived tropical depression is likely to form over the weekend" while the system moves west-northwestward just off the coast of Mexico. "Interests in southern and southwestern Mexico should monitor the progress of this system," hurricane center forecasters said Friday, giving the system a 70% chance of formation through the next seven days. Additionally, the NHC said a "broad area of low pressure" has formed along the western side of the elongated trough south of Mexico. The hurricane center said "continued gradual development" of the system is expected and a tropical depression is "likely to form over the weekend or early next week." Hurricane center forecasters give this system an 80% chance of formation through the next seven days. While the 2025 Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, the Atlantic season officially began on June 1 and will last through the end of November. Active hurricane weather typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its prediction for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season on Thursday, May 22, predicting an above-average season, with 13 to 19 named storms and six to 10 hurricanes. Pacific storm tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Prepare now for hurricanes: Here's what you should do to stay safe before a storm arrives Develop an evacuation plan : If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. : If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies : Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. : Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions : Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. : Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Create a family communication plan : NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. : NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Mud, rain & lightning: CCMF bracing for Myrtle Beach weather. Here's what to expect
Carolina Country Music Festival (CCMF) fans preparing for a weekend out in their chicest shoes may want to reconsider. With rainy conditions expected through the weekend, the festival is preparing for muddy grounds. 'We're thinking it's more of a Crocs and flip flops weekend!' the City of Myrtle Beach wrote on Facebook. On Thursday afternoon, the city's Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism Department spread mulch to level festival grounds and soak up this weekend's rain. Beyond the preventative mulch, CCMF has a mixture of sand and gravel on hand to remedy muddy conditions throughout the weekend. While some rain might put a damper on some of the festival excitement, inclement weather could hold up the festivities. According to a city spokesperson, if lightning strikes within 8 miles of CCMF, the venue has to be cleared for 30 minutes. In addition to on-site announcements, attendees can stay up to date on announcements and weather alerts through the CCMF app. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts the area will likely see showers and thunderstorms Thursday night. Mostly cloudy with a low around 71 degrees Fahrenheit, there's a 60% chance of precipitation. The CCMF grounds may be muddy Friday, but chances of precipitation are low. Festivalgoers can expect a high near 85 F and mostly cloudy skies as the sun gradually comes out through the day. At night temperatures could drop to around 74 F. Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 89, though there's a 40% chance of precipitation. If there are showers and thunderstorms, they'll likely come after 2 p.m. and continue through the night. Temperatures at night are expected around 74 F with a 50% chance of rain. Showers and thunderstorms will likely return on Sunday, mostly after 2 p.m. During the day the high will be around 87 F with a 70% chance of precipitation. At night the chance of precipitation falls to 60% with a low around 73 F. The latest NWS forecast is available here.
