collinss
Senior Member
- Jun 15, 2015
- 105
- 51
The irrigation scheme will cost taxpayers Sh70 million.
The Kerio Valley Development Authority Managing Director
David Kimosop, while inspecting the 150 acres irrigation
project on Sunday, said two center-pivot machines already
installed together with huge water tanks have proved efficient
after several tests.
“From the aquifer, water is being pumped using solar to the
two tanks each with capacity of 1.7 million litres. With
electricity or back-up generators the water is channelled to
center-pivot machines where one will be irrigating 75 acres,”
he said.
Success of the pilot project could attract more State funding
to scale up the scheme using water from the Napuu aquifer.
“We will then invest in developing another 1,000 acres once
we are happy and satisfied that the pilot is up and running to
address the challenge of food insecurity in Turkana,” said Mr
Kimosop.
He said cereal crops do very well in the region and they are
likely to start with maize and sorghum. Orchards will also be
established. Fruits that are on high demand in Lodwar include
bananas, mangoes and oranges.
For sustainability and success of the project KVDA, which runs
mega irrigation projects like Aror in Elgeyo Marakwet County
and Weiwei in West Pokot County, won’t subdivide the farm.
“Our experience is that when you subdivide land and leave it
to the community without central management, after a while it
will be abandoned as it depends on the capacity and
understanding of the individual farmer,” said the KVDA boss.
A committee and management team will be formed by
farmers who will be allocated 100 acres and coordinated by
the authority.The land will be cultivated through a co-operative
where farmers can grow one crop for food.
50 acres will be left to KVDA for the purpose of managing and
doing experimental farming.
“Most schemes started by government after a while they
become neglected, so KVDA has tested a common
cooperative arrangement where we give the technical support
for sustainability, work together with the farmer and ensure
they have bank savings for proper maintenance of
infrastructure, the irrigation system and water storage facility,”
he said.
source: Tomato Source
The Kerio Valley Development Authority Managing Director
David Kimosop, while inspecting the 150 acres irrigation
project on Sunday, said two center-pivot machines already
installed together with huge water tanks have proved efficient
after several tests.
“From the aquifer, water is being pumped using solar to the
two tanks each with capacity of 1.7 million litres. With
electricity or back-up generators the water is channelled to
center-pivot machines where one will be irrigating 75 acres,”
he said.
Success of the pilot project could attract more State funding
to scale up the scheme using water from the Napuu aquifer.
“We will then invest in developing another 1,000 acres once
we are happy and satisfied that the pilot is up and running to
address the challenge of food insecurity in Turkana,” said Mr
Kimosop.
He said cereal crops do very well in the region and they are
likely to start with maize and sorghum. Orchards will also be
established. Fruits that are on high demand in Lodwar include
bananas, mangoes and oranges.
For sustainability and success of the project KVDA, which runs
mega irrigation projects like Aror in Elgeyo Marakwet County
and Weiwei in West Pokot County, won’t subdivide the farm.
“Our experience is that when you subdivide land and leave it
to the community without central management, after a while it
will be abandoned as it depends on the capacity and
understanding of the individual farmer,” said the KVDA boss.
A committee and management team will be formed by
farmers who will be allocated 100 acres and coordinated by
the authority.The land will be cultivated through a co-operative
where farmers can grow one crop for food.
50 acres will be left to KVDA for the purpose of managing and
doing experimental farming.
“Most schemes started by government after a while they
become neglected, so KVDA has tested a common
cooperative arrangement where we give the technical support
for sustainability, work together with the farmer and ensure
they have bank savings for proper maintenance of
infrastructure, the irrigation system and water storage facility,”
he said.
source: Tomato Source