Situation overview
- The district continued receiving rains during the month under review, as the long rainy season progressed. A total of 222.83 mm of rains was realized with Mixed farming and Marginal mixed farming zones receiving 99.57 mm and 123.26 mm rainfall estimates respectively. These rains were uniformly spread both in amount and space across all livelihoods thus continued support to forage and crop production.
- Water accessibility and availability both for household and livestock remained good and in plenty as households boosted their water storage techniques. Surface runoff water harvesting structures retained adequate water and were presently at full capacity. Rivers flows remained at above normal flow as recharge was consistent from ongoing rains.
- Livestock body condition for all species was satisfactory as forage was in plenty and of good quality.
- Households were at present undertaking late harvest for maize and wheat whereas in majority of the farms, planting, Weeding and top dressing were in progress for the current seasons crops.
- Milk production continued on an upward trend increasing by 10.4 percent from 502.3 to 554.7 (750ml) bottles. Household consumption also improved by 6 percent with approximately 33 percent of daily milk production i.e 181.3(750ml) bottles being consumed at household level.
- Livestock prices were on a upward trend with cattle trading at Ksh 19,027.80 from Ksh 13,906.30 recorded last month representing a 37 percent price increase. Goat recorded a 13 % rise in prices from Ksh 1,693.80 to Ksh 1,914.30 with Sheep recording a 12 percent price increase from Ksh 1,661.40 to Ksh 1,853.70. Shoats sales rate however dropped during the month under review, reducing from 4.1 percent to 1.7 percent and 3.5 percent to 3.4 percent for goats and sheep respectively.
- Commodity prices at market level responded to ongoing cereals harvest and sales at farm gate level with a drop in prices. As a result, maize priced reduced by 15 percent with a kilo of maize retailing at Ksh 25.20 from Ksh 29.60. On the contrary, declining legumes reserves at household level led to a slight rise of 2 percent in beans prices from Ksh 53 to Ksh 54 a kilo. However, these prices were within seasonal range.
- The nutritional status of children below five years remained satisfactory during the month under review with percentage of children rated at risk of malnutrition falling from 0.3 percent to 0.2 percent in April 2010.