The government is placing greater emphasis on irrigation as a key driver of food production, saying reliance on rainfall alone cannot meet the needs of a country whose population continues to grow.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government is increasing investment in dams, water pans, rivers and deep boreholes to ensure that water is available for farming even during dry periods.
Speaking in Bamba, Kilifi County, during the launch of the Sh79 million rehabilitation of the Ndigiria Water Pan, Kagwe said water that is lost during rainy seasons must be harvested and stored to boost food production.
“Kenya cannot continue depending on rain alone to feed its people.”
According to Kagwe, the country’s growing population is increasing demand for food, yet Kenya’s landmass cannot expand. The government, he said, must therefore increase production from every available acre through irrigation.
“The population is growing, and that does not mean the size of Kenya will increase.”
The strategy includes harvesting water from seasonal rivers, storing water from permanent rivers, constructing and rehabilitating dams and water pans, and sustainably tapping groundwater through deep boreholes in areas where it is viable.
The government is also advancing major irrigation projects such as Galana-Kulalu, alongside plans to expand irrigated farmland through national and community-based schemes.
In Bamba, the rehabilitation of the Ndigiria Water Pan, which was established in 1963, is aimed at restoring its water storage capacity and supporting irrigation on approximately 50 acres.
More than 100 farmers are expected to benefit directly from the project, while an estimated 4,026 people will benefit indirectly.The project will also provide water for approximately 15,398 livestock.
The rehabilitation works will include desilting the water pan, stabilising its embankments, installing water pumping and distribution systems, balancing tanks, solar power systems and farm irrigation infrastructure.
Kagwe said the government wants stored water to do more than provide basic water access, insisting that it should translate into food, jobs and income for local communities.
He encouraged farmers to combine food crops with commercially viable crops to strengthen household food security while creating additional sources of income. Farmers under the scheme will also receive seeds, extension services and technical support.
The Cabinet Secretary directed the contractor to speed up the rehabilitation and carry out the works in phases to ensure residents continue accessing water during construction.
He also ordered the separation of livestock watering points from the irrigation infrastructure and directed that local residents be given priority for employment opportunities arising from the project.
Kagwe further called for the improvement of the road leading to Ndigiria Water Pan, saying irrigation projects must be supported by reliable infrastructure to enable farmers to transport their produce to markets.
He also pledged to push for the improvement of the wider Bamba road network at the Cabinet level.
