Mwea rice farmers decry crop infestation as Ksh.500 spent on bird chasers daily

Rice farmers are calling for the national government and the county government of Kirinyaga to intervene by spraying to reduce the population of the birds in the scheme.

According to the rice farmers led by John Mwaniki from Thiba section, they are hiring people to chase away the birds at a cost of Ksh.500 per person.

"I'm forced to hire four people per day at a cost of Ksh. 500 per person to chase birds in one acre; this will reduce my production," Mwaniki said.

According to John Munene, the birds started invading the farms last September when the rice started maturing. He accused the Ministry of Agriculture and the county government of Kirinyaga of not helping rice farmers chase away birds using aeroplanes as they did two seasons ago.

Jane Wangeci has been using scarecrows to chase away birds in vain.

"It is in the whole scheme where we are forced to camp in our rice farms from morning to evening chasing away the birds, some of us using drums but in vain," Wangeci said.

The quelea birds have invaded the whole Mwea rice schemes, including Nguka, Wamumu, Karaba, Tebere, Thiba, Cumbiri and Ndekia. Residents say the birds are 'sleeping' in the rice farms.

"They are not flocking in our farms from elsewhere; they are consuming the grain during the day and sleeping in our rice farms," Mary Mwangi said.

Pius Njogu and John Munene, who have several rice farms in the scheme, are urging the local elected leaders to intervene and help the rice farmers eliminate the birds, as they might lead to devastating crop losses.

"We need to be equipped with skills and be protected as rice farmers to increase food security, but if the government will not spray these birds, what do you expect?" John Warui asked.