(Narok) – The Kenyan government has launched a five-day operation to eliminate over 5 million quelea birds in Narok County, using drones to protect farmers from devastating losses in wheat, sunflower, and barley crops. This initiative, spearheaded by the State Department for Agriculture, targets the birds’ roosting sites in an effort to save the agricultural sector in the region.
Speaking at the launch at Sansora Farm near the Narok-Nakuru border, Principal Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Paul Ronoh revealed the alarming scale of losses caused by the quelea birds. Farmers are estimated to lose approximately KSh 2.2 million ($14,700) daily as the birds consume over 50,000 kilograms of grains. Each quelea bird eats up to 10 grams of grain per day, leading to a potential daily loss of 30 metric tonnes of wheat.
To address the crisis, five drones are being deployed to spray the breeding grounds of the birds during the evening hours, when they typically rest. This innovative approach is expected to significantly reduce the quelea bird population, which has been described as an “unprecedented risk” to food production.
| Key Statistics | Details |
|---|---|
| Daily Grain Loss | 50,000 kilograms |
| Farmer Losses | KSh 2.2 million ($14,700) per day |
| Daily Grain Consumption | 10 grams per bird |
| Drones Deployed | 5 |
| Target Quelea Population | Over 5 million birds |
Dr. Ronoh emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, announcing plans to work with the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) to provide compensation to those who have already suffered losses. “We aim to completely eradicate the quelea menace with this operation,” he stated.
Narok County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Ms. Joyce Keshe, echoed this sentiment, urging farmers to collaborate by reporting breeding sites to ensure comprehensive coverage during the operation. She noted that some farmers had abandoned wheat farming due to persistent losses caused by the birds but expressed hope that the government’s intervention would restore confidence in large-scale wheat production.
Narok County is a key contributor to Kenya’s wheat and barley output, particularly in the Mau region. Wheat farmers in the area produce up to 20 bags per acre, with each bag currently selling for KSh 5,000 ($33). Farmers like Daniel Naikuni praised the initiative, noting that the losses had pushed some to switch to potato farming. “With the government’s assurance, we are optimistic about returning to large-scale wheat farming,” he said.
The wheat planting season in Narok County runs from January to April, depending on the region.