Today, Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh Paul, CBS, Principal Secretary for Agriculture, joined Engineer Eric Muuga, Cabinet Secretary for Water and Sanitation, to officially preside over the handover of the Bulla Cadey Irrigation Scheme construction works in Garissa County. This landmark initiative is poised to transform agricultural productivity in the region, directly benefiting 500 smallholder farmers across 1,500 acres of arable land.
The scheme is designed to enhance the cultivation of high-value crops such as bananas, melons, tomatoes, onions, and citrus fruits, which serve as key income sources for local communities and supply Garissa Town and surrounding markets.
Phase 1 of the project features the deployment of a solar-powered irrigation system with a discharge capacity of 77.5 liters per second, enabling efficient irrigation of up to 27.9 acres per day. The system includes a pontoon-mounted surface pump for cleaner water extraction, a 1.7-kilometer main pipeline with 12 offtake points, and a 1.8-kilometer sub-main pipeline supporting an additional 75 acres.
In addition to infrastructure development, the project prioritizes capacity building, equipping farmers with skills in climate-smart agricultural practices, sustainable water management, and agribusiness development to improve yields and market access.
This initiative is fully aligned with Kenya’s strategic frameworks for agricultural transformation and climate resilience, including Executive Order No. 2 of 2023, the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) 2019–2029, and the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy (2017–2026). It exemplifies the government’s commitment to expanding irrigation in semi-arid regions and empowering smallholder farmers through innovative, sustainable solutions.
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