Kenya has experienced five consecutive below-average rainy seasons, causing the longest and most severe drought in recent history.  In agro-pastoral areas well-below-average rainfall has limited land preparation and planting, resulting in minimal harvests.  The drought, combined with the high cost of fuel and fertiliser, has presented significant challenges for the farm workers at the school maize farm.

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In November 2023 the farm worker at the school maize farm, reported that the total harvest of maize for the year yielded 78 x 90Kg bags from the 4 acres of land that was planted.  A second season planting of beans yielded 1 x 90Kg bags of beans and these will be used as bean seed in the next planting this year.  As long as land rental costs do not significantly increase then 5 acres of land will be rented in 2024.

 

January 2024 Update:

In later December, during the school break, the Founder of the school, Mr. Richard Wanjala Manya, visited the school maize farm to oversee the land rental for the 2024 planting season.  This year the school will be renting 4 acres of land.  The preparation of the land will take place in February ahead of the planting of maize and beans in April.  The beans will be intercropped with the maize as in previous years.  

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May 2024 Update:

Richard  visited the school maize farm during the Easter school break.  The weeding of the land took place the first week in May.  

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There are many challenges which maize farmers are facing in Kenya this year including a significant risk of fake fertilisers which have reportedly infiltrated into government stores as well as a general shortage of fertilisers.  It is hoped that by the time the second weeding session is due to commence that supplies of top dressing fertiliser will have been distributed to government stores and able to be purchased by farmers.  

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December 2024 Update:​

During the December school break, the Founder of Patmos Cottage School visited the school maize farm.  He reported that from the 4 acres of land that was rented in 2024 a total of 82 x 90Kg sacks of maize and 2 x 90 Kg sacks of beans were harvested in 2024.  A different variety of beans were planted this year but unfortunately due to unpredictable weather (unreliable and erratic rainfall patterns), pests, diseases and poor soil quality, this variety did not yield a good harvest.  Land rental prices escalated last year as the demand for rental land has increased.  Therefore, Richard has prudently negotiated with the land owner to allow him to continue renting the 4 acres of land for a consecutive period of three years.  Some of the sacks of maize harvested will be sold to fund the land rental costs, equipment hire and fertiliser for the maize farm.  The remainder of the maize will be sold to purchase food items such as fruit, eggs and some meat to enrich and fortify the meals provided at Patmos Cottage School so as to ensure a balanced, healthy diet.  The 2 sacks of beans will be sold and the funds raised used to buy the common variety of beans which will then be planted this year interspersed with the maize.

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​​The maize and beans grown at the school farm supplement the School Feeding Program which aims to provide a breakfast of porridge and a daily meal for all the children at Patmos School.

 

To read about the maize harvest in 2023 click here

To read about the maize harvest in 2022 click here

To read about the maize harvest in 2021 click here

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