A multi-billion water challenge has been launched in Western Kenya to help tackle perennial floods in parts of the region and promote irrigation farming.
The Ksh7 billion (US$70 million) challenge dubbed Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project will spread across 10,000 acres of land with a view of producing sufficient food to serve the entire area. 5,000 acres is predicted to be beneath high value crops and the other 5,000 acres under rice and meals crops to benefit 12,000 households.
At least 34km of dykes will be constructed in addition to River Nzoia to forestall it from bursting its banks and discharging water which might wreak havoc on farms and houses.
The challenge is projected to profit a minimal of 60,000 folks from two western counties of Busia and Siaya.
While launching the venture, Kenya’s Deputy President, Dr. William Ruto said that a weir shall be constructed to regulate water flowing into River Nzoia from other rivers exterior the county.
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“Food security is one of our Big Four agendas and we are dedicated to ensuring that we have enough meals and farmers get cash,” mentioned Ruto
Residents are optimistic the relaunch of the Irrigation Scheme will see rice manufacturing in the region leap to a new degree.
The venture underneath the National Irrigation Board was conceived in 2006 to help fight perennial flooding on the lower Nzoia areas, while diverting the water and using it for irrigation.
The National Irrigation Board has stated that some preliminary works, which embrace the development of concrete diversion weir, 135m connecting channel and a couple of.7km canal, are ongoing.
เพรสเชอร์เกจคือ , Fred Segor, stated the project was set to be a fully-fledged agribusiness enterprise with manufacturing and worth addition.
He announced that there were efforts to ensure the venture is accomplished in 2021 as had been envisioned.
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