Many herders turned farmers in Kerio valley region are reaping big from irrigation yields courtesy of the Kerio Valley Development Authority [KVDA].
At the moment farmers at the Weiwei irrigation scheme in Sigor area, West Pokot County have got a bumper maize harvest.
KVDA managing director Sammy Naporos said that the authority is supporting food security to stem out hunger in the region as one of the government’s big four agenda.
He cited that the authority is supporting 800 farmers on 108 acres of land.
Speaking at Sigor during the shelling of the maize, Naporos cited that farmers at the Weiwei Irrigation scheme are expecting 1000 tonnes maize seedlings which will be sold to Kenya seed company.
“Farmers who have been depending solely on pastoralism have shunned reliance on relief food from the government and other organizations,” said Naporos.
He said the community had embraced the project after benefitting from it.
“The villagers now appreciate the nutritional value and economic potential of farming,” he said.
The MD reiterated that his government is committed to ensure that residents of the region should attain food security and avoid relying on relief food.
“The project has proved successful by providing food security and sustainable income generation to communities that have experience. This area has the potential to produce its own food if other organizations chip in and assist in setting up irrigation schemes,” he said.
He said that farmers in the area have learned new farming methods that will help increase food productivity.
Naporos said the irrigation scheme has helped improve living standards of residents since they are able to sell their produce .
“Most of farmers farming in the irrigation scheme are able to pay school fees for their children without difficulties since they earn handsome pay from the scheme. We are committed to seeing that people no longer depend on relying on food. We shall support such projects since they help us in realizing our dreams,” he said.
