Question
Explain four problems facing small scale maize farmers in Kenya.
Answer
- Shortage of rainfall / inadequate rainfall reducing the production of maize.
- Attack by pests e.g., armyworms, stalk borers, locusts, fowl carrying worms destroying maize plantation, thus low yields/ lowering profit margin.
- High cost of farm inputs e.g., fertilizer, maize seed, thus increasing the cost of production, thus lowering yields.
- Importation of cheap maize that floods the market, thus reducing farmers' morale.
- Diseases i.e., maize streak, leaf rust that attacks the crop, thus reduces the production/farmers' profit margin.
- Heavy rainfall during the harvesting period destroying maize.
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