Hanoi: A Sh1.7 billion irrigation project has been launched in Suba South Constituency, Homa Bay County, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, food security, and economic opportunities for local communities. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation through the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) and is expected to promote sustainable agriculture through modern irrigation technologies, including drip irrigation.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative is designed to benefit farmers across three clusters: Suba, Ndhiwa, and Homa Bay, with a focus on horticultural and food crop production for both domestic consumption and commercial purposes. Speaking in Sindo, Young International Group Limited Managing Director and contractor, David Riogi, said his company had been tasked by NIA to undertake the project. He mentioned that the works would include the installation of a pumping system to draw water from the river and the construction of a sedimentation tank to help channel and manage the water before it is supplied to farms.
Riogi stated, “The project will take two years, but we will do our best to complete it within a year,” noting that it had been designed to be cost-effective and sustainable by making use of existing designs and technologies. The irrigation scheme is expected to create income-generating activities, improve agricultural productivity, and open up economic opportunities for residents in the region.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi emphasized that the project was part of the Government’s efforts to stimulate rural economies by investing in productive economic activities rather than direct handouts. Mbadi noted that the Government was starting with the Suba cluster while also planning to include the Ndhiwa cluster. Efforts were also being made to revive the Oluch-Kimira irrigation scheme, which has faced challenges in achieving full community uptake and productivity.
Mbadi highlighted that irrigation projects offer an opportunity to increase the value generated from agricultural land and create employment, particularly for young people facing limited job opportunities. He urged residents to take advantage of the opportunities that would be created once the scheme becomes operational, stating, “The only way to put money in your pocket is to bring a project like this.”
He explained that farmers in the project’s coverage area would be able to generate significantly higher returns from an acre of land compared to traditional farming methods. “The project will support the cultivation of a variety of crops, including horticultural crops and edible oil crops such as sunflower,” said the CS. Mbadi also pointed to geopolitical disruptions and global economic uncertainties as factors affecting employment and economic activities, suggesting that local agricultural investments could help communities build more resilient livelihoods.
Senator Moses Kajwang welcomed the project, noting it would benefit several parts of Homa Bay County. He indicated that the irrigation programme would extend beyond the Gingo Beach area in Suba South to other locations, including Ndhiwa. The senator emphasized the importance of drawing lessons from the challenges experienced at the Oluch-Kimira irrigation scheme, particularly regarding community participation and ownership.
Kajwang stressed that involving local communities from the beginning is crucial to ensure that the new project achieves its intended objectives. The project is expected to cover parts of both Suba South and Suba North constituencies, with food crop production forming an important component of the scheme as the Government seeks to strengthen food security.
Officials highlighted that continued support from the Government and other stakeholders, as well as active community participation, would be critical to the success and sustainability of the project.
