Rice farmers count loses as hailstones destroy crop worth Sh57 millionRice farmers at Siany paddy field in Kabonyo, Kisumu CountySeveral rice farmers at the Ahero irrigation scheme in Kisumu County are staring at heavy losses after hailstones destroyed large swathes of rice estimated to have yielded some Sh57 million.This came as heavy rains pounded parts of the Nyanza region after a long dry spell. Interviews with a number of farmers and irrigation officials established that the crops that were destroyed had been due for harvesting. SEE ALSO :Rice farmers reap from new technologyHe noted that they had projected to harvest about 20,000 bags of rice from the farms that were destroyed. Most of the farmers have been preparing to start the harvests but have now lost almost everything,” said Awero. The farmers noted that it is the first time in a very long time that hailstones have destroyed their crops.

Source: Standard Digital February 26, 2019 12:00 UTC