A multi-billion water challenge has been launched in Western Kenya to assist tackle perennial floods in elements of the area and promote irrigation farming.
The Ksh7 billion (US$70 million) challenge dubbed Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project will spread across 10,000 acres of land with a view of producing enough meals to serve the entire area. 5,000 acres is expected to be beneath high value crops and the other 5,000 acres under rice and food crops to profit 12,000 households.
At least 34km of dykes will be constructed besides River Nzoia to prevent it from bursting its banks and discharging water which would wreak havoc on farms and houses.
The project is projected to benefit at least 60,000 individuals from two western counties of Busia and Siaya.
While launching the venture, Kenya’s Deputy President, Dr. William Ruto stated that a weir will be constructed to manage water flowing into River Nzoia from different rivers outside the county.
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“Food security is certainly one of our Big Four agendas and we are committed to ensuring that we have enough meals and farmers get cash,” mentioned Ruto
Residents are optimistic the relaunch of the Irrigation Scheme will see rice production within the area jump to a new stage.
เกจวัดแรงดันน้ำ underneath the National Irrigation Board was conceived in 2006 to assist combat perennial flooding at the decrease Nzoia areas, while diverting the water and utilizing it for irrigation.
The National Irrigation Board has said that some preliminary works, which embrace the construction of concrete diversion weir, 135m connecting channel and 2.7km canal, are ongoing.
Kenya’s Irrigation Permanent Secretary, Fred Segor, mentioned the project was set to be a fully-fledged agribusiness enterprise with manufacturing and worth addition.
He introduced that there were efforts to ensure the venture is completed in 2021 as had been envisioned.
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