Kenya to invest US$412M on irrigation projects to boost food production, halt imports

KENYA – The Kenyan government has allocated KES 60 billion (approximately US$412 million) towards expanding irrigation infrastructure as part of efforts to boost the nation’s food production capabilities and alleviate dependency on imports

This was revealed by President William Ruto while commissioning the Mathira Community Water Supply Project and Gatundu South’s Rwabura Irrigation Project in Nyeri and Kiambu respectively, on February 16.

The project is poised to benefit over 5,000 farmers and generate more than 25,000 jobs.

The president highlighted that every year, the country spends up to KES 500 billion (about US$3.4B) to import food produced by farmers from other countries, assuring that this money can go to local farmers.

He said irrigation will help the country increase acreage under cultivation and stop reliance on rain-fed agriculture. 

The president added that the government will continue supporting farmers through subsidized fertilizer to enhance productivity and increase their earnings.

According to the National Irrigation Board (NIB), the country’s irrigation farming potential is estimated at 1.3 million hectares but only 162,000 hectares have been developed to boost food security.

However, the government is keen on bringing more crops under irrigation to mitigate against climate change which is adversely impacting crops under rain-fed agriculture in the country.

Kenya targets to put 3 million acres under irrigation by 2030

Kenya has been keen on transitioning to irrigation-based agriculture with the government announcing last year that it has committed to put 3 million acres of land under irrigation farming by 2030 to bolster food security.

Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alice Wahome, who made the revelation while launching three community irrigation projects in Murang’a County said that the state is implementing several projects in different parts of the country to boost irrigation farming.

According to her, in the next five years, 1. 8 million acres will be put under irrigation from the current 670,000 acres.

In addition, on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28), the United Kingdom committed to investing KES 321 million (US$2.1 million) to provide solar-powered and water-efficient irrigation systems to 9,000 farmers in Kenya.

The project is set to help increase farmers’ income as well as build their resilience and adapt to the impact of climate change.

“The upfront cost of the irrigation systems will also be reduced by 25-40% through an innovative carbon credit facility, making the systems more affordable for farmers,” a statement from the British High Commission in Nairobi read.

For all the latest grains industry news from Africa, the Middle East, and the World, subscribe to our weekly NEWSLETTERS, follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.