The country could be staring at major food shortage after the Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease destroyed hundreds of acres of the crop in Rift Valley, Central, Western and Eastern Kenya. In North Rift alone, the six counties, which are considered the country's food basket, are counting losses to the tune of Sh3 billion, following the destruction of more than 30,000 acres of maize by the disease. Farmers are now urging the government to declare the devastating maize viral disease a national disaster. They also want a special fund created to tackle the disease before it is too late. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), necrosis is as a result of a combination of two viruses -- the Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMoV) and the Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV). The double infection of the two viruses gives rise to MLND, also referred to as Corn Lethal Necrosis (CLN). "The impact to smallholder farmers is significant as they stand to lose their whole production while it could have a big impact on the economy of countries," the FAO report states. The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Karlo) chief scientist Dr Ann Wangai says the disease's intensity varies from one region to another and changes with seasons. So far, the government is yet to get a solution, only advising farmers to uproot and remove the affected plants. Speaking at a meeting on Necrosis in Masada Hotel, Naivasha, in August, Wangai said the institute is seeking long-term measures to address the spread of the disease. "The biggest challenge we face as scientists is that this disease is severe and new to us," she said. A few maize varieties that have some level of resistance to the disease have been released by Karlo and Kenya Seed with more still being tested. The disease is however spreading fast and experts have predicted that crop production could decline by 60 per cent. Jackson Kebenei, a farmer from Aldai constituency, Nandi county, had planted two acres of maize last season and only harvested 10 bags in an area that produced more than 20 bags. He was afraid to take much risk this season and only planted maize in quarter of an acre piece of land which he lost due to the disease. This frustration has made Kebenei seek an alternative; venturing into dairy farming. "I have opted to venture into animal keeping. I have planted fodder crops to support my animals. I will use the money I will get from dairy farming to buy food for my family. "The government should sensitise farmers on how to manage this menace, for example, through crop rotation. Provision of seeds which are disease resistant is also important," he said. Kebenei said the lethal maize disease is becoming rampant, noting that this is the third year farmers have to deal with huge losses attributed to the disease. "Farmers who plant on time are likely to harvest something but those who plant late, you find there is a 100 per cent loss. Now farmers have opted to grow traditional crops like sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, beans and even cabbages," he said.