Sh300m set aside to revive stalled irrigation projects in Nandi

The government has set aside Sh300 million to revive 12 stalled irrigation projects in Nandi County in a fresh push to wean farmers off rain-fed agriculture and boost food production amid climate shocks.

State Department for Irrigation Principal Secretary (PS), Ephantus Kimotho, said the funds will be used to rehabilitate water pans and dams constructed during the colonial era that have since fallen into disuse.

Speaking in Ndalat Village in Mosop Constituency, Kimotho said over-reliance on rain-fed farming had become unsustainable due to erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells.

“Rain-fed agriculture is no longer predictable. There is a need to scale up irrigation to sustain food production throughout the year,” he said.

The PS said once revived, the projects will provide farmers with reliable water for irrigation, enable crop diversification, create jobs and improve household incomes, besides boosting food security.

Kimotho added that the projects will benefit learning institutions in the county, which have been grappling with water shortages.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei noted that while the allocation is a step in the right direction, it is insufficient to meet the county’s irrigation needs.

Cherargei pledged to rally Parliament to fast-track irrigation-related bills and push for a bigger budgetary allocation to the State Department.

“We are going to fast-track any piece of legislation before Parliament to unlock funding for these projects. We are also going to hasten any financial appropriation through the budget to ensure irrigation gets adequate resources,” he said.

He challenged the Nandi County Assembly to also prioritise irrigation in its budget and urged the county government to partner with the national government to mobilise more resources for farmers.

Speaking during the same occasion, Mosop Member of Parliament (MP), Abraham Kirwa, said the National Assembly will ensure irrigation gets the lion’s share of the agriculture budget.

“We will make sure in the National Assembly that irrigation gets the largest share of allocation so that we can help farmers in Kenya, increase production and put money in their pockets,” Kirwa said.

Kirwa said expanding irrigation is central to the country’s food security agenda and will cushion farmers against losses occasioned by climate change.

Nandi Deputy Governor Yulita Mitei said the county is strategically positioned to benefit from increased food demand, driven by urbanisation and government housing projects.

She said the Affordable Housing Programme and construction of modern markets are expected to attract more people to urban centres, pushing up demand for agricultural produce.

“His Excellency President William Ruto has brought up the Affordable Housing Programme and markets; therefore, we expect to have an increase in demand for food. This area, given its proximity to Eldoret City, stands to benefit immensely,” Mitei said.

National Irrigation Authority Acting Deputy General Manager, Operations and Irrigation Management Services, Joel Tanui, said the Authority will focus on reviving all colonial-era water pans and dams in the county.

“We want to revive all these projects so that farmers can have reliable water for irrigation and produce throughout the year,” Tanui said.

The leaders said sustained investment in irrigation would double food production, cushion farmers against climate change and help the country achieve food security.

By Kosuri Valarie