The National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) is working to complete the Gathanji Irrigation Project that is earmarked to benefit 2000 households drawn from semi-arid parts of Nakuru County.
The over Sh200 million project expected to cover Naishi game, Kengoye, and Mugumo areas of Njoro Sub-County, which is at 70 per cent completion, will put more than 500 acres of land under irrigation farming.
NAVCDP is a National Government Community Driven Development Project that seeks to increase market participation and value addition for targeted small-scale farmers in Poultry, Pyrethrum, Dairy, Apiculture, and Irish potato value chains.
During a visit by a team of the National Panel of Experts (NPOEs) to the Naishi game, Kengoye, and Mugumo Dam, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Livestock Mr. Leonard Bor indicated that the project will boost farming in parts of Njoro and support the attainment of food security for many families.
He called upon locals to take advantage of the irrigation project and venture into commercial farming.
“This project, once completed, will lead to improved crop and livestock productivity and increased market participation for the farmers in this sub-county. We encourage community members to join common interest groups to benefit from this project and collectively take the lead in improvement or expansion of the project,” he added.
Horticultural crops earmarked to be grown under the irrigation project include cabbage, kales, spinach, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes, among others, with estimated average gross margins of Sh208,034 per acre per year.
Mr. Bor lauded the project, saying it will ensure many local households have a source of livelihood.
The targeted areas, the CECM noted, lie in parts of the county that receive minimal rainfall, saying irrigation will boost farming, thus food security and wealth creation.
“The project will boost farming in parts of Nakuru and support the attainment of food security for many families. I urge the locals to take advantage of the irrigation project and venture into commercial farming,” he added.
Mr. Bor further said that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration, in partnership with the national government and other partners, was implementing several other irrigation projects in the county, saying some had already been completed and farmers are practicing irrigation.
The CECM indicated that the devolved unit was keen to support initiatives geared towards expanding irrigation schemes and reviving stalled ones across the region as a measure of scaling up food security and enhancing value addition.
Mr. Bor noted that due to the effects of climate change, most parts of Kenya were experiencing unreliable rainfall and erratic weather patterns, with farmers often running into huge losses when their crops failed.
He added that although the soil in most parts of the country is fertile, dependence on the rain-fed farming system has precluded agriculture as an alternative food source.
He added, “In its Medium-Term Plans, the national government is emphasising the expansion and intensification of agriculture through irrigation, with a focus on crop diversification, poverty alleviation, food security, and improved quality of life for the rural population. This is an initiative that will impact positively on farmers, who will now have sufficient water to irrigate their crops and make the most out of it in revenues.”
Mr. Bor pointed out that the project was one of the impacts of a well-coordinated plan by Governor Kihika to ensure that Nakuru people benefitted from such strategic partnerships.
“Such projects provide an opportunity for job creation through farming, given that it is the mainstay of our county. The County Government is expanding the water distribution network to reach more households, with about 100,000 families targeted for irrigation water projects across the county. We aim at ensuring that our people are engaged economically and that their standards of living are uplifted,” he further said.
Mr. Bor noted that the devolved unit’s administration was actively seeking strategic partnerships to revitalise and expand its key projects aimed at improving agricultural productivity, water access, and community resilience.
He stated that the County Government is implementing water management and irrigation projects to ensure stable and increased food production to feed the citizenry.
The CECM indicated that irrigation schemes have huge potential for food security, wealth creation, poverty reduction, and job creation in the region.
Irrigation projects, he added, have long been a pillar of agricultural development in Nakuru County, providing local farmers with the opportunity to cultivate crops throughout the year, regardless of the seasonal fluctuations in rainfall.
Mr. Bor stated that the County Government with its partners, is focused on finding sustainable solutions to address the water accessibility issues, aiming to enhance the efficiency and scale of the irrigation system.
He noted that the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) is crucial not only for improving agricultural outputs but also for securing food sources and supporting the socio-economic well-being of the local population.
The CECM said the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the progress of the vital projects, which hold immense socio-economic potential for the region, providing essential water resources and supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of families through agricultural activities.
Mr. Bor noted that despite abundant natural resources such as permanent rivers, underground water sources, and fertile soil, food insecurity remains a persistent issue, primarily due to water scarcity and poverty.
He said the County Government and its partners have stepped in to bridge this gap, implementing large-scale water management initiatives aimed at improving access to reliable water sources and promoting irrigated agriculture.
These efforts are crucial in ensuring food security, economic stability, and resilience to climate-related shocks.
According to the CECM, irrigated agriculture has proven to be an essential tool in enhancing food and nutrition security across the region.
He said by utilising the region’s natural resources for irrigation, the devolved unit and its partners have provided farmers with a dependable water supply, enabling them to grow crops throughout the year, irrespective of rainfall patterns.
This has not only improved food production but also increased household incomes and reduced dependency on food aid.
“The County Government’s mission to uplift local farmers is reflected in its focus on providing access to clean, reliable water for both domestic and agricultural use. Through projects that improve water access and enable sustainable farming practices, we have made notable strides in transforming the region’s agricultural landscape,” he added.
By Jane Ngugi
