About 400 farmers stand to benefit from a 100-acre irrigation project in Katilu in Turkana South Sub- County.
County Government, through the Department of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, has finalized the rehabilitation and expansion of the Katilu Irrigation Scheme, paving way for enhanced agricultural production by farmers.
During an inspection tour of the site, a team led by County Chief Officer (CCO) for Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Jane Rose Tioko, declared the project, completed after the contractor met all the requirements proposed by the project’s scope of works.
“The principal objective for the rehabilitation of the project is to facilitate the production of food and also contribute to the production of 300,000 bags of cereals to the realization of the food security agenda, as envisioned by the Governor,” she said.
The project, whose scope of works included, bush clearing along main and Sub-main canal corridors, construction of earth line compacted canals, 10 division boxes, complete with sluice gates and five bridges, have been inspected, awaiting handover to the community.
The CCO informed the farmers that the County Government would train them on the best farming practices, as well as distribute seeds and pesticides.
These activities were to ensure the farmers benefit from the project thus leading to a county that is food self-sufficient aided by irrigated agriculture.
Tioko also urged farmers to invest in groundnut farming as there is a high market demand for quality nuts.
While recognizing the pivotal role that irrigation plays in advancing food security agenda, the CCO announced that the Governor would commission the handover of the project to the community.
Sub-county Agricultural Officer, Sammy Erumu, raised concern for the invasive prosopis plant (Mathenge), noting that it reduces arable land and urged farmers to assist the Department to clear the bushes.
He also requested farmers to keep livestock away from accessing the Scheme.
The CCO was accompanied by several department’s county officers and the area village Administrator.
By Peter Gitonga
