The Kenyan government has set a target to irrigate 1.5 million acres of land as part of its efforts to boost domestic food production and reduce reliance on imports and rain-fed agriculture. This initiative is being implemented in phases, with an initial target of 500,000 acres. The government is expanding water infrastructure and seeking partnerships with private investors to support large-scale farming.
The Irrigation Principal Secretary, Ephantus Kimotho, recently hosted a delegation of government officials at the Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project, one of the initiatives expected to contribute to the national target. The project has seen an investment of approximately Ksh.520 million in water infrastructure, enabling the irrigation of 10,000 acres, of which about 6,000 acres are currently under cultivation by private investors.
The Galana-Kulalu project is being developed through a public-private partnership framework initiated by President William Ruto in January 2023. Five private investors are participating in the initiative, with some already cultivating large areas of land. For example, Selu Ltd is cultivating 2,000 acres of seed maize and plans to expand its operations to 20,000 acres within the next three years.
The government has identified other irrigation schemes, including the Bura Irrigation Scheme, which has a potential area of 165,000 acres. The proposed Galana-Athi Dam is also expected to unlock an additional 200,000 acres for irrigation, significantly expanding the project's potential. The dam will have a capacity of 350 million cubic meters.
The delegation, led by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, emphasized the importance of developing irrigation, water storage, and supporting infrastructure to turn arid and semi-arid areas into food production hubs. They noted that unpredictable weather patterns and recurring droughts had exposed the risks of depending heavily on rain-fed agriculture.
The government is also seeking to address food security through increased domestic production of key crops, including maize, rice, wheat, sugar, and edible oils. Annual food imports are estimated at Ksh.560 billion. The delegation linked increased food production to improved nutrition and reduced childhood malnutrition, while noting the potential for expanded agricultural activity to create employment opportunities for young people.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance food security and reduce reliance on imports. Key stakeholders, including Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira and Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, highlighted the need for complementary infrastructure, including roads and electricity, to support commercial farming, processing, and access to markets.
Key points
- The Kenyan government aims to irrigate 1.5 million acres to boost food production.
- The Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project is one of the initiatives expected to contribute to the national target.
- The government is seeking partnerships with private investors to support large-scale farming.
