The government has officially launched the Bulla Cadey Irrigation Scheme works in Garissa County, a project expected to boost agricultural production and support 500 smallholder farmers across 1,500 acres of farmland.
The commissioning ceremony on August 26 was presided over by Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh and Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Engineer Eric Muuga.
The scheme is designed to increase the cultivation of high value crops including bananas, melons, tomatoes, onions and citrus fruits, which are vital for household incomes and local markets in Garissa Town and its surroundings.
Phase one of the project features a solar-powered irrigation system with a discharge capacity of 77.5 liters per second, enough to irrigate up to 27.9 acres per day. The infrastructure includes a pontoon-mounted pump for clean water extraction, a 1.7-kilometer main pipeline with 12 outlets and a 1.8-kilometer sub-main line serving an additional 75 acres.
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Beyond construction, the project will emphasize farmer training in climate-smart agriculture, efficient water management and agribusiness to enhance productivity and access to markets.
The initiative which aligns with national development priorities such as Executive Order No. 2 of 2023, the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (2019–2029) and the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy (2017–2026), reflects government efforts to expand irrigation in semi-arid regions while promoting resilience and sustainable farming practices.
By Benedict Aoya
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