A multi-billion water project has been launched in Western Kenya to help address perennial floods in elements of the region and promote irrigation farming.
The Ksh7 billion (US$70 million) challenge dubbed Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project will unfold throughout 10,000 acres of land with a view of manufacturing sufficient food to serve the entire area. 5,000 acres is predicted to be under high value crops and the other 5,000 acres under rice and food crops to learn 12,000 households.
At least 34km of dykes will be constructed apart from River Nzoia to stop it from bursting its banks and discharging water which might wreak havoc on farms and homes.
The project is projected to benefit at least 60,000 folks from two western counties of Busia and Siaya.
While launching Cinch , Kenya’s Deputy President, Dr. Cheat sheet stated that a weir might be constructed to regulate water flowing into River Nzoia from other rivers outdoors the county.
ALSO READ: Kisumu City to get funding for growth of water provide
“Food security is one of our Big Four agendas and we’re committed to making sure that we have sufficient food and farmers get money,” said Ruto
Residents are optimistic the relaunch of the Irrigation Scheme will see rice manufacturing within the region jump to a model new stage.
The challenge under the National Irrigation Board was conceived in 2006 to assist fight perennial flooding on the lower Nzoia areas, while diverting the water and utilizing it for irrigation.
The National Irrigation Board has mentioned that some preliminary works, which embody the development of concrete diversion weir, 135m connecting channel and a pair of.7km canal, are ongoing.
Kenya’s Irrigation Permanent Secretary, Fred Segor, said the project was set to be a fully-fledged agribusiness venture with production and worth addition.
He announced that there were efforts to ensure the challenge is accomplished in 2021 as had been envisioned.
Share