Tharaka Nithi County: Drought Early Warning Bulletin for April 2023
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Tharaka Nithi County: Drought Early Warning Bulletin for April 2023

Sep 29, 2023

Kenya

Drought Situation & EW Phase Classification

Biophysical Indicators

• The 2023 long rains performance for the month of April was fair to good. An average of 362.8mm was realized accounting for 134.6% of the long-term average.

• The overall Vegetation Condition Index registered a slight drop, despite enhanced rains.

• Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators)

Production Indicators

Livestock body condition was fair to good for small ruminants and poor to fair for large ruminants. No Unusual livestock migrations were reported. Term of trade stood at 70 kg of maize for a mature goat, down from 107 kg normally. Registered drop was occasioned by high maize prices.

Maize price was 69% above the -term average (LTA). There prices are likely to increase further as households stocks get diminished thus high dependence on markets for food supplies.Household, stocks was 50% below normal ranges of 80-100%.

Livestock prices for small ruminants registered an 11% rise above the LTA attributed to improved (fair to moderate) body conditions.

Milk production was still low a common trend with local indigenous breeds.

Access Indicators

• Households trekking distances to water sources dropped to 2.3 km from 5.7 Km as water sources significantly recharged.

Utilization Indicators

CSI was above normal at 8.7 indicating high deployment of consumption base coping strategies.

At risk of malnutrition for under-fives was high and above the LTA at 2.3% due to household's poor food security status. FCS was fair and on an improving trend.

• In conclusion, Tharaka Nithi is at Normal phase and on an improving trendDrought Situation & EW Phase Classification Biophysical Indicators • The 2023 long rains performance for the month of April was fair to good. An average of 362.8mm was realized accounting for 134.6% of the long-term average.

• The overall Vegetation Condition Index registered a slight drop, despite enhanced rains.

Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators)

Production Indicators

Livestock body condition was fair to good for small ruminants and poor to fair for large ruminants. No Unusual livestock migrations were reported. Term of trade stood at 70 kg of maize for a mature goat, down from 107 kg normally. Registered drop was occasioned by high maize prices.

Maize price was 69% above the -term average (LTA). There prices are likely to increase further as households stocks get diminished thus high dependence on markets for food supplies.Household, stocks was 50% below normal ranges of 80-100%.

Livestock prices for small ruminants registered an 11% rise above the LTA attributed to improved (fair to moderate) body conditions.

Milk production was still low a common trend with local indigenous breeds.

Access Indicators

• Households trekking distances to water sources dropped to 2.3 km from 5.7 Km as water sources significantly recharged.

Utilization Indicators

CSI was above normal at 8.7 indicating high deployment of consumption base coping strategies.

At risk of malnutrition for under-fives was high and above the LTA at 2.3% due to household's poor food security status. FCS was fair and on an improving trend.

• In conclusion, Tharaka Nithi is at Normal phase and on an improving trend

Download Report Drought Situation & EW Phase Classification Biophysical Indicators Production Indicators Access Indicators Utilization Indicators Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators) Production Indicators Access Indicators Utilization Indicators