The Galana Kulalu irrigation project is set to achieve the Millennium Development Goals inclusive of food security as the major development agenda.
Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation Eugine Wamalwa said that the irrigation projects have enabled other countries for instance Israel, Sudan and Egypt to develop immensely in the agricultural sector.
The model farm under the irrigation scheme has attracted both international and local investors and it will as well yield high food production.
The project is also set to provide a platform to showcase what can be planted at which specific region with favorable agricultural conditions.
The Water CS was speaking in Nairobi last week saying that Kano West, Mwea, Ahero and Budalangi’ irrigation schemes are also going to be immensely used to yield production so as to avoid importing sugar and rice.
“Kenya should not continue to import sugar and rice while we have potential irrigation projects. We want Kenya to be a food security nation with access to water”, said Wamalwa.
The CS said that the Ministry through the National Irrigation Board discussed the roadmap for Galana and that it will deliver 10,000-acre model farm at Kshs.7.2 billion down from Kshs.14billion.
So far, the 2015 Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Food Security Index ranks Kenya 83rd and 9th in Sub Saharan Africa.
The Galana feasibility study on 500acres shows massive potential with results of between 30 to 39 bags per season for maize which is positive.
Kenya will now avoid to over -relying on rain-fed agriculture as a source of food security for the country’s sustainability through modern farming methods including irrigation.
The Galana Kulalu food security project in Partnership with Israeli Government will ensure that 100 young Kenyans get free training irrigation engineering in Israel every year for six years with the same training model replicated in various Kenyan higher institutions.
Other major Mini-Galana projects are going on in lower Migori, Mwea expansion in Kirinyaga, lower Sio in Busia and various in Turkana.Other parts of the country include Ewaso ngiro North, Lower Nzoia, Mwache, Turkana,Baringo,Turkwel and Kerio rivers.