BUSIA DISTRICT CROP LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES ASSESSMENT FOR
MEDIUM AND HIGH RAINFALL AREAS OCTOBER 9th to 20th 2011
Assessment Team:
Stephen Andika
Simon Mwangangi
Dominic Kitaka
DAO Busia
DLPO Busia
DFO Busia
Ministry of Fisheries Development Headquarters
Ministry of Livestock Development, Headquarters
Ministry of Agriculture, Headquarters
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Livestock
Ministry of Fisheries Development
0
1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 2
1.1 District Background .................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Food Security Trends ................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Current Factors Affecting Food security ................................................................... 2
2.0 DISTRICT FOOD SECURITY SITUATION .............................................................. 3
2.1 Current Food Security Situation ................................................................................ 3
3.0 IMPACT OF SHOCKS AND HAZARDS ................................................................... 4
3.1 CROP PRODUCTION.............................................................................................. 4
3.1.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 4
3.1.2 Crop performance. ............................................................................................. 4
3.1.4 Current crop condition and stage of development .............................................. 5
3.1.5 Maize stocks ....................................................................................................... 5
3.1.6 Post-harvest management at household level ................................................... 5
3.2 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION .................................................................................. 6
3.2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 6
3.3.2
Forage and feed supplements ..................................................................... 6
3.2.3
Livestock Productivity ................................................................................ 8
3.2.4 Prices of major livestock types ........................................................................... 8
3.2.6 main challenges facing food security a.............................................................. 9
3.2.7 Stakeholders involved in livestock activities...................................................... 9
3.3 FISHERIES ............................................................................................................. 11
3.3.1 Back ground ...................................................................................................... 11
3.3.2 Aquaculture ...................................................................................................... 11
3.3.3 Capture Fisheries .............................................................................................. 12
3.3.4 Main methods of preservation of fish ............................................................... 12
3.3.5 Fish storage facilities ........................................................................................ 12
3.3.6 Fish prices ......................................................................................................... 12
3.3.7 Fish Imports and exports .................................................................................. 13
3.3.8 Challenges facing fish productions................................................................... 13
3.4 MARKETS AND TRADE ...................................................................................... 14
3.4.1. Market operations ............................................................................................ 14
3.4.3. Commodity Demand........................................................................................ 15
6.4. Market Prices.......................................................................................................... 15
5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................ 17
1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 District Background
Busia district covers an area of 196.2 Km2, it has an estimated population of 111,345 with
13,826 households. The arable part of the district covers an area of 164ha with a total
cultivated area of 141ha. This means 86% of the arable land is cultivated. There exists
irrigation potential of 124km2 out of which only 12% is irrigated. The low irrigation
recorded is due to expenses involved in purchase of the irrigation equipments coupled by
the high labor requirement. The district experiences a bimodal rainfall pattern with an
annual rainfall of 1200-1800mm. With emerging unreliable rainfall patterns due to
climate change, there is need to aggressively promote use of irrigation facilities
especially in horticultural crop production. Soils in the district are mainly acrisols. The
district has a poverty index of 68% and the rate of technological adoption is very low.
Main source of livelihood is subsistence farmining and petty trade. Majority of youth
practice boda boda transport as a livelihood strategy.
1.2 Food Security Trends
The district is generally food secure with a deficit of about 2 months for the maize grain. .
The last six months have been favorable for rain fed farming. This is so based on maize
but farmers are able to supplement with other produce like cassava and sorghum
1.3 Current Factors Affecting Food security











Incidences of striga affecting cereals
High Cost of inputs Seed Acquisition and land preparation
Cross border
Weather variability
Cost of inputs and land preparation
Incidences of Hailstones
Birds and other pests
Diseases like Cassava Brown streak and Cassava mosaic diseases
Lack of milling equipments for rice and other cereals
Inadequate technical knowledge by farmers
Prolonged dry spell leading to loss of planting materials
2
2.0 DISTRICT FOOD SECURITY SITUATION
2.1 Current Food Security Situation
For Most of the families in the region foods have been available from the long rains of
2011 but it is expected that by December the stocks kept will have been depleted.
However the anticipated short rains looks promising and farmers may have a second
season crop harvest. There has been variation in production of major staple crops in past
few years. This is attributed to erratic rainfall, Late planting, striga weed , low usage of
inorganic fertilizer, Competition from Uganda By mid June – July, the farmers started
harvesting Beans and selling so as to purchase other basic food needs.
2.2 Current Shocks and Hazards
R ainfall patterns for 2010 and 2011
350
300
250
200
150
2010
100
2011
50
Fe
Ja
br
ar
y
ua
ry
M
ar
ch
Ap
ril
M
ay
Ju
ne
Ju
l
Au y
S e gu
pt s t
em
b
O er
ct
o
N o be r
ve
m
be
De
r
ce
m
be
r
0
nu
R ainfall(m m )
The
rainfall
distribution
for
long rains 2010
and 2011 period
was nearly same
and was sufficient
for most of the
crops grown in the
district. Farmers
were able Figure 1
a) Other shocks and hazards
Crop
Maize
Sorghum
Beans
Major hazard eg drought,
hailstones, floods etc during L.R
2011
Hazard
%
affected
crop area
Drought/dry spell
20
Drought/dry spell
20
Hailstone
10
Major hazards during L.R in 2010
Hazard
% affected
crop area
Hailstone
Hailstone
Drought/dry spell
3
3.0 IMPACT OF SHOCKS AND HAZARDS
3.1 CROP PRODUCTION
3.1.1 INTRODUCTION
The major crops in the district are maize Cassava, Sweet potatoes and Sorghum.
Sorghum and Maize is mainly used as whole grain. Maize is both grown locally and
imported from outside the country as well as imported as shown in Table
Crop used as source of food
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
Crop
Maize
Cassava
S/Potatoes
Sorghum
Beans
Most commonly used
form:
1= whole grain
2= Flour
3= dried tuber/root
4= Fresh tuber/root
1
2
4
1
1
Current
source
1= local
production
2= imported
locally
3= imported
outside
Kenya
1,3
1
1
1,3
1,3
Normal
source
Product used as
source of income
Rank
Product
Current
source
1,3
1,3
1,3
1,3
1,3
Most of the food crops consumed in this district is sourced from local production.
However there is a lot which comes from Uganda. The quality of maize received from
Uganda is of poor quality due to poor post harvest handling techniques
3.1.2 Crop performance.
Rain-fed crop Production
Crop
Area planted
current year
(Ha)
Long Term
Average
area planted
(Ha) projected
Maize
6000
7000
Current year
production
(90 kg bags)
Projected/actua
l
108,000
Long Term
Average
production
(90 kg
bags)projected
154,000
Beans
2500
3250
2500
3250
Sorghum
3200
4,500
3200
67500
Targets were not achieved due to delayed rainfall
4
Norma
l
source
3.1.4 Current crop condition and stage of development
The long rains crop was harvested and production was not very much different from last
year same time.However, the short rains crop is at vegetative stage tarsseling
3.1.5 Maize stocks
Maize stocks
Quantities of maize held
in the district (90-kg bags)
By Households
Traders
50,000 bags
100,000 bags
NCPB
Millers
0
0
Long Term Average
quantities held in the
district (90-kg bags)
Remarks
The district is an importer of most of food commodities
Most farmers are expected to exhaust their stocks by the end of December. However
short rain crop is expected to cushion farmers from scarcity.
Farmers are expected to supplement the above staples wth cassava,sweet potatoes and
sorghum
3.1.6 Post-harvest management at household level
Most farmers are storing their produce in their houses in sacks and bins as they do not
have stores. The sacks are made of polythene which is not suitable for storage of cereals.
This is so because of the high cost and unavailability of sisal bags. This affects the
quality of the produce because of poor moisture management. Loses are also experienced
from rodends and weevils.
Food requirements at deferent divisions
Division
Population No of HH
Township
35,663
8,558
Food
requirement
for next six
months
2,568 tons of
cereals
And 428 tons
Own
production
( bags/Metric
tons
2,140 tons
Surplus
/ deficit
Remarks
428
tons
deficit
The division produces
more than was is
presented in the table
5
of pulses
Matayos
75, 682
15,268
5,449 tons of
cereals
And
908 tons of
pulses
4,540
909
but some of it is sold to
purchase other goods
and services
The division produces
more than was is
presented in the table
but some of it is sold to
purchase other goods
and services
The divisions produces more than was is presented in the table but some of it is sold to
purchase other goods and services
Nb based on every adult requires 12 kg of cereals per month and 2 kg of pulses in the
same period thus as per the world food programme ration. Hence the figure obtained
above
The district can be termed as food secure thus if other sources of carbohydrates are
factored in i.e. sorghum, millet, cassava and sweet potatoes. Maize produced in the
district can last for 5 months of the 6 months
3.2 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
3.2.1 Introduction
The major livestock types are: indigenous chicken (133,000) followed by
local/indigenous goat(35,000) zebu cattle zebu (18,050),pigs(10,432),sheep (7,269).The
dairy cattle are few (2,901).There are a few commercial chicken(layers 1,500) and about
1,200 rabbits.The district is considered a low rainfall area although it occasionally gets
some floods.The indigenous chicken is a easy source of income,followed by the local
goat.
3.3.2 Forage and feed supplements
The condition of forage and supplements is generally fair .Supplementation using
commercial feeds is mostly done by the dairy cattle farmers while other livestock are not
supplemented.
Available foods for various categories of livestock are fairly adequate.The available feeds
are as follows:
Cattle: Napier grass, natural grass, sweet potatoes vines, calliandria, hay,maize and rice
bran,sugar cane tops, maize stovers and banana stems.
Poultry (i) Local chicken –Kitchen waste,fish waste,Maize and sorghum grains,Maize
bran, local indigenous (kienyeji) marsh.
(ii)Commercial chicken –Chick mash, growers mash and layers mash.
6
Shoats–Natural grass,calliandria,nappiergrass and shrubs.
Pigs – Kitchen waste, natural grass,sweet potato s vines, horticulture waste from the
market, and fish waste.
CURRENT ACREAGE OF FODDER
District
Fodder type
Improved
postures (Ha)
Napier grass
(Ha)
Natural pastures
(Ha)
Fodder shrubs
(No)
Legumes (Ha)
2010
62
2009
73
2008
60
290
272
198
3,450
4,157
7,900
15,250
15,100
39,900
15
15
14
-Concentrate feed-normal
-The feeds will be available up to December 2011.
-Factors affecting availability and access of livestock feeds: Ever rising price of livestock
feeds.
-Costs of feeds increased by 100
Feed concentrates price trends(Kshs)
Feed Type
Dairy Meal
Calf pellets
Layers Mash
Growers Mash
Chick Mash
2011
2300
1850
2500
2300
3000
2010
1300
1400
1900
2000
2500
2009
1300
1200
1750
1800
1800
2008
1150
1150
1500
1550
1600
Current cost of fodder has increased by 60%
b) Water availability and distance travelled;
Status; normal
Current sources of water; shallow wells, springs, boreholes, piped water, rivers and roof
catchment.
Distance travelled: 1Km
Frequency of watering: twice a day
7
Cost of watering: none except for piped water and boreholes
Limitation; none
3.2.3 Livestock Productivity
The body condition of cattle, sheep and goats is good
The birth rates can be described as fair at 50%
Milk is not very available in this district. The district is actually milk deficient.The
average house hold number is 6 and the milk available to the household is ½ to 1 litre per
day.The average milk price is ksh 60 compared to a normal of ksh 40 per litre.The reason
for variation is attributed to increase in price of commercial concentrates.
Milk Marketing Channels
District
Busia
Total
Production
2,431,080
Market
outlet
hawking
Market
inlet
Soy D.F C.S
Uasin Gishu
Price
Kshs/kg
45.88
Remarks
Demand
exceeds
supply
Livestock holding at H/H level:
i) Cattle: Dairy-2, Zebu-4, Sheep-1
Goats (meat)-2 Poultry (indigenous)-10
Livestock diseases and mortality rate
The common livestock dis eases in the district are east coast
fever,trypanosomiasis,mastitis ,Anaplasmosis,Heart Water, new castle disease, Fowl pox and
Fowl typhoid
Measures to control Livestock diseases;
Vaccination, tick control, tsetse fly control,extension services and meat inspection.
Current livestock mortalities;
None.
Vaccines and services are available
3.2.4 Prices of major livestock types
DISTRICT
Current
Market price
farm gate
price
Cattle – dairy
50,000
60,000
Market price
same period
last year
40,000
Cattle – meat
15,000-25,000
15,000-
20,000-30,000
Reasons for
differences or
similarity
Inflation
“
8
20,000
Goat – dairy
15,000
20,000
15,000
“
Goat – local /
meat
Sheep
2,500
3,000-3,500
2,000
“
2,500
3,000
2,000
“
Hen /cock
400/700
500/800
300/500
“
Milk /per litre
50
60
40
“
Hides and skin
65 &65/Kg
-
-
3.2.6 main challenges facing food security a
i) High cost of farm inputs
ii) Livestock diseases
iii) Inadequate breeding stock
iv) Inadequate A.I services
v) Inadequate extension services
vi) Lack of organized marketing
channels
vii) Cross-border trade influence
Viii)Napier stunting disease
3.2.7 Stakeholders involved in livestock activities
organization
Activity
HPI
Placement of in-calf heifers
to groups
FFS Network
Capacity building and
production
ICS
Capacity
building,production
andformal education
KENFAP
Farmers’ advocacy
ACK-WRCCS
Bee-keeping,local poultry
CRS
Environmental protection,
goats and local poultry
Busia County Council
Maintenance of markets and
livestock rings
Vet Dept
Disease control and clinical
services
ICIPE
Promotion of Desmodium
KAPAP
Capacity building and
extension services
KARI
Research
Ufugaji Bora CBO
Feed formulation and
Area of coverage
Matayos-Busia
Districtwide
“
“
“
“
“
“
Matayos Division
Districtwide
“
Township Division
9
Compounding
Local goat promotion
Eradication and control
Tsetse flies
OWDF
PATTEC
Districtwide
“
On-going food security interventions
Intervention
Objectiv
es
Commercializa
ton of
indigenous
poultry
Generati
on of
income
and
poverty
eradicati
on
Interventi Cost
on
Targets
26 Groups 1,400,0
00
Area-
Busia
Distri
ct
No of
beneficiari
es
520
farmers
Implementati
on
Time frame
2
Years(July20
10-June2012)
Recommendation/intervention
i) Enhance stakeholders collaboration in service delivery by for example organizing
livestock products marketing channels.
ii) Introduction of improved livestock breeds through A.I services
iii)Promote rabbit production
Conclusion:
The district is not self sufficient in livestock products. This can be attributed to prevalent
livestock diseases such as NCD, Trypanosomiasis and ECF, Poor attitude of farmers
towards farming as a business and availability of cheap livestock products from Uganda
where cost of production is low. It is however evident that the district has a great
potential to produce more livestock products
Impact of livestock production
Livestock enterprises have created employment and are contributing to poverty
eradication in several households.
10
3.3 FISHERIES
3.3.1 Back ground
Busia district is mainly a fish farming area but with major fish markets since it a border
town. Fish products from Uganda transit this town on their way to international markets
and local Kenyan markets. Kenyan fish also transit this town on its way to DR Congo
where the market for dry Tilapia is very huge.
3.3.2 Aquaculture
Fish production
Total no of fish
farmers
Total of fish
ponds
Pond size(area in
M2 )
Sp
Stocke
d
Not
Stocked
Not
stocke
d
No. of
fingerlin
gs
stocked
in the
last
6month
J
F M A M J J A
6
2
2
0
1
9
0
0
No of
farmer
s
stocke
d
Stocking Monthly fish harvesting in
Kg
Tilapi
a
311
217
69
85800
20700
186,000
Claria
s
25
20
5
6000
1500
22,000
2
7
0
0
4
2
0
0
2
5
0
0
1
5
0
0
2
5
0
0
3
0
0
0
Busia district has a total 311 farmers who participated in the Fish Farming Enterprise and
productivity program. The district has 362 fish ponds covering an area of 108,600 sq
meters of which 237 are stocked whereas 74 are not. The ponds have been stocked with
208,000 fingerling of which Nile tilapia are 186,000 and 22,000 are Cat fish
Production trends for the farmed fish are as follows
species Jan
Feb. March April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Tilapia 6220 1900 2700
4200 2500 1500 2500 3000
Clarias
11
Availability of fish farming inputs
Fingerlings
Specie
s
Sources
%
found
in the
Unit price
%
source
d
Other fish inputs
Input
Curren norma type
t
l
from
distric outsid
t
e
sources
%
found
in the
Unit price
%
source
d
Curren norma
t
l
distric from
outsid
t
e
the
district
the
district
Tilapia 90
10
5
5
Feed
60
40
78
40
Clarias 80
20
9
7
manure
100
-
4
4
Trout
fertilize 100
r
0
90
90
Carp
liners
100
5000
5000
-
3.3.3 Capture Fisheries
The district has no capture fisheries
3.3.4 Main methods of preservation of fish
The main method used to preserve fish in the district deep frying.
3.3.5 Fish storage facilities
There are various dry stores for dried omena within the main markets in the district
3.3.6 Fish prices
Main
Current sources Normal
fish
sources
Species
rank
Tilapia
Rastreo
L Victoria
L Turkana
L Kyoga
LVictoria
L Victoria
L Turkana
L Kyoga
L Victoria
Current
Normal prices
Reasons for
prices per Kg
difference
Who Retail Wholesale Retail
lesal
e
160
200
160
200
80
100
80
100
12
nobala
Burbus
L Turkana
L Turkana
160
200
160
200
3.3.7 Fish Imports and exports
 Estimated Amount of Fish Imported into the District; Exported Outside the
District
Estimated quantities Estimated quantities Remarks
Fish species
of fish sourced from of fish from the
outside the district
district sold outside
per month
per month
Tilapia
300,000
180,000
Burbus
120,000
100,000
3.3.8 Challenges facing fish productions
 Minimal information on pond management

Supply of fingerlings

Prolonged dry spells in some parts of the districts

Minimal sporadic flooding

Predators

Poor markets prices

Lack of fish market information

Low rates of restocking

High cost of feeds

Minimal knowledge on catfish propagation
3.3.9 Summary of interviews with Farmers, Fishers and Opinion leaders

The farmer complained about the high cost of feeds and the time it takes to get
fingerlings after ordering

Fisheries production can be used to address food security issues
3.3.10 Conclusion
The potential for fish farming is high and can be supported by the good price regimes in
the town.
13
3.4 MARKETS AND TRADE
3.4.1. Market operations
There were no market disruptions in the district and the markets operated normally,
however most of the produce is from Uganda imported mainly informally through the
porous border. There were no price variations within and between lively hood zones.
The price of maize is expected to increase considerably but due to short rain crop,
expeted at around December the prices may remain stable
3.4 2. Market Supply and Traded Volumes
1. Sources of the Stocks for maize and beans
a) Smallholder Farmers
Major food stuff is grown by the smallholder farmers for their subsistence requirements.
There has been fluctuating market price of food crops such Maize, and Beans as a result
of the general food scarcity countrywide. Consequently, the food prices have been rising
steadily towards the tail the end of July signifying high demand countrywide.
b) Cross-border Trade
Busia District is a cross-border District with some food commodities coming across from
Uganda. These commodities are mainly foodstuffs that are ferried to distant markets such
as Kisumu, and Nairobi. For example, Cereals and Pulses such as Maize, Sorghum and
Beans taken to major urban centers where there is demand. Due to prolonged drought in
most parts of the country, there was an increased influx of food commodities from
Uganda as evidenced by the Cross-border trade
Comparison of prices 5 major crops
Crop
Farm gate July-September 2010
2010
2011
% Change
Retail Prices July – September 2011
2010
2011
% Change
Maize
1000
1,900
90
1100
2,800
154
Finger
millet
Sorghum
3200
3,150
-1.5
3600
4,000
10
1500
2,700
80
1170
3,200
173
Beans
5000
4,950
1
5,500
6,000
9
Cassava
chips
1300
1,050
-19
1495
1,600
7
14
3.4.3. Commodity Demand
Most households have at least enough food to last up to December when the short rain
crop will be harvested.
Prices are generally coming down due to adequate supply from long rain crop and
Uganda. Its difficult to determine price projection due to influence of the Ugandan
market
6.4. Market Prices
Market trends for the quarters.
July –September
2010
Crop
Unit
Farm Reta Whole
Weight Gate il
sale
Maize
90kg
1000 1100 1300
Finger millet
90kg
3200 3600 4000
Sorghum
90kg
1500 1170 2000
Beans
90kg
5000 5,50 6000
0
Cassava chips
70kg
1300 1495 1600
April –June 2011
Farm
Gate
5,000
4,000
10,00
2,000
Retai
l
6,000
6,750
4,300
10,50
0
2,400
July –September 2011
Wholesal
e
5,850
6,300
4,500
11,000
Farm
Gate
1,900
3,150
2,700
4,950
Retail
2,800
4,000
3,200
6,000
Wholesal
e
2,350
3,600
2,970
5,400
2,700
1,050
1,600
1,260
Interventions
Ongoing Interventions to address food security
Food interventions
No relief food has been provided
Non- food intervention s
Interventio Objectives
n
Orphan
crops
Bulk crops for
multiplication
Distribute seed and
planting materials to
farmers
Increase food security
Improve health of farm
families
Interve
ntion
Targets
Cost
Area-
250 tons
350,000/=
District
wide
No of
Implemen Implemen
beneficiar tation
tation
ies
time
stakehold
frame
ers
15,000
Long rains MoA,
farmers
2011
FAO, EU
15
NAAIAP
To improve farm inputs 150,000
access and affordability bags of
for smallholder farmers maize
to enhance food
security/availability at
the household level and
generate incomes from
sales of surplus
produce.
NMK
Increase food security
initiative through
support to resource
poor communities.
Support health and
nutrition interventions
that target the poor and
vulnerable.
3. Strengthen and
support private sector
participation in food
security and livelihood
innovations
NALEP sida To institutionalize an
efficient, effective
demand driven and
pluralistic extension
delivery system
Enabling environment
. NALEPfor agricultural
GOK
development.
Increase agricultural
productivity and
outputs.
Promote market access
and product
development.
Enhance accessibility
of affordable inputs and
credit to
10,000
million
District
wide
1000
farmers
Long rains MOA
2011
Matayos
1 Group
Long and
short rains
2011
MOA,MO
LD
1000
farmers
Long and
short rains
2011
MOA,MO
LD
Long and
short rains
2011
MOA
3,086,00/= District
wide
640,00/=
District
wide
16
Recommended Interventions
Food interventions
NIL
Non- food intervention s
Recommendation on intervention on food security in Busia
Medium to long term interventions
Intervention
Objectives
Diversificatio
n
To prevent crop
failure
Cost
Area-
District (
whole)
No of
beneficiarie
s
Imple
mentat
ion
time
frame
68% of farm 5years
households
Implementation
stakeholders
PALWECO, KAPP
Increase
coverage on
NAIAAP
To enable most
District
68% of farm 5 years Ministry and
farmers to access
wide
households
development partners
fertilizer and quality
planting seeds
Setting up
To improve access to
District
68% of farm 5 years Ministry of agriculture
NCPB go
subsidized fertilizer
wide
households
and other stakeholders
down in Busia in the district
Research and To address the striga
District
68% of farm 5 years Ministry of agriculture
production of menace in the district
wide
households
and other stakeholders
striga tolerant
varieties
Remarks:
The poverty index in Busia district is 68 %. This implies roughly 68% of farmers cannot
afford buying of agriculture inputs.
5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
Intervention
Objectives
Cost
Area-
No of
beneficiarie
s
Imple
mentat
ion
time
frame
Implementation
stakeholders
17
Diversificati
on
To prevent crop
failure
District ( 68% of farm 5years
whole)
households
PALWECO, KAPP
Increase
coverage on
NAIAAP
To enable most
farmers to access
fertilizer and quality
planting seeds
To improve access to
subsidized fertilizer in
the district
District
wide
68% of farm 5 years
households
Ministry and
development partners
District
wide
68% of farm 5 years
households
Ministry of agriculture
and other stakeholders
District
wide
68% of farm 5 years
households
Ministry of agriculture
and other stakeholders
Setting up
NCPB go
down in
Busia
Research and To address the striga
production of menace in the district
striga
tolerant
varieties
18