Bunyala Rice Farmers in a four days training on irrigation management on key areas of financial management, infrastructure maintenance and new policy frameworks through irrigation water user association and new policy framework with an aim of increasing productivity for the small holder farmers.

The training Manager from Ministry of Gender and Social service Mrs. Carolyne Muthoni stated that the training was sponsored by the World Bank to ensure that farmers at grass root levels especially women and youth are highly involved because they are the once who contribute much to the economy in terms of man power.

Muthoni said the training shall enable farmers to understand their rights, the way they spend in farming and also how to create good leadership once they form farmers unions.

She disclosed that the purpose of the training was to enable all farmers in the country under their co-operative societies to be responsible with their schemes because the National Irrigation Board, NIB is planning to centralize its roles to the farmers.

Chief Engineer, Perkera scheme Mr. Ibrahim Munyua added that, “It’s time for farmers to start protecting their infrastructure effectively such as water pumps, drainages because time will come when the NIB shall not get involved at repairing for them.”

Consultant manager, from Ahero scheme Mr. John kirua told West FM that the fact that big number of farmers doesn’t understand the laws governing the running of the scheme projects therefore, the training will sharpen them hence gain knowledge on principles of managements.

The same training also took place in other main schemes such as Ahero, Perkera, West & east Kano and Mwea irrigation schemes.