All set for multi-billion shilling irrigation project

By LONAH KIBET

KILIFI COUNTY, KENYA: The maize to be cultivated under a large scale irrigation scheme in Tana River County will be harvested next year if everything goes according to plan.

Touring the Galana Kalalu Food Security Project on a one million acre piece of land, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei said the first harvest of the crop is expected by the end of next year.

“The pilot project on a model 10,000-acre farm will cost the Government Sh2.5 billion. We have already cleared 2,000 acres and we will start with that as the other parts are being cleared,” said Mr Koskei.

He said different varieties of maize will be tested on the model farm to get the one best suited for the region.

The project under the National Irrigation Board will take five years to be completed and will be the largest irrigation scheme in the country.

The country has been largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture leading to frequent food shortages especially during the dry seasons.

Supplement shortage

Maize will occupy 400,000 acres, taking up the largest chunk of the land. This will not only help supplement the yearly eight million bags shortage, but also produce more than 50 million extra bags.

“Maize is the staple food in this country and most times we have been experiencing shortage due to drought. With this project, we expect to produce enough maize and we  will not have to import the commodity,” said Koskei.

The rest of the land will be under sugarcane, beef and game animals, horticulture production and dairy farming.

 “We are working with the local leaders to ensure the community appreciates the project because apart from bringing development to them, it will also create millions of jobs,” he said while touring the site.