Faced with increasing drought, farmers in Kenya’s eastern district of Mbeere South have started growing drought-tolerant crops to meet their food and subsistence needs instead of the staple maize.

Declining maize yields, due to climate variability and high fertilizer costs, have caused prices to soar.  Four new drought-tolerant pigeon pea varieties are being piloted in Mbeere, and specialists say the crop will be able to grow in a variety of environments.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is providing farmers with free seeds, saying there is a need to increase planting of drought-tolerant crops. Read the full story here.