Narok: The government, through the State Department for Agriculture, has initiated a drone-based intervention to control the quelea bird infestation threatening wheat, sunflower, and barley crops in Narok County. The operation, which involves using drones to spray over 5 million quelea birds, was launched by Dr. Paul Ronoh, the Principal Secretary for Agriculture, at Sansora Farm, located at the border of Narok and Nakuru counties.

According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Ronoh highlighted the significant economic impact of the quelea birds, which are causing an estimated loss of Sh2.2 million per day to farmers. The birds have the capacity to consume over 50,000 kilograms of grains daily, translating to a potential loss of up to 30 metric tonnes of wheat each day. To counter this threat, five drones have been deployed to target the breeding spaces of the birds during evening hours, when they are believed to be resting.

The government is working in collaboration with county governments and the Agriculture Financ
e Corporation (AFC) to mitigate the damage caused by the birds. Efforts are underway to compensate farmers who have suffered losses. Narok County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Ms. Joyce Keshe, emphasized the collaboration between the government levels to ensure such losses become a thing of the past. She urged farmers to report breeding grounds to maximize the effectiveness of the spraying operation.

Ms. Keshe expressed the gravity of the situation, noting that many farmers had abandoned wheat farming due to the bird menace. She assured farmers of the government’s commitment to using modern technology to combat the quelea birds, encouraging them to continue large-scale wheat cultivation. Extension officers have been tasked with monitoring the birds’ movements to pinpoint their roosting areas.

Narok County is a major producer of wheat and barley, particularly in the Mau region. Local farmers, represented by Daniel Naikuni, expressed gratitude for the government’s initiative, acknowledging the p
revious substantial losses. Naikuni mentioned that some farmers had shifted to potato farming but, with the government’s assurance, they are motivated to revert to large-scale wheat production.

The county produces up to 20 bags of wheat per acre, with the current market price at Sh5,000 per bag. The wheat planting season in Narok County typically runs from January to April, varying by region.