The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) in collaboration with other key stakeholders, has invested Ksh3 billion to revamp rice farming in Nyando,Kisumu County.
The investment targets the revival of idle land at the South West Kano Irrigation Scheme in Nyando and Kadibo Sub-County, where at least seven hectares are set to be brought back into productive agricultural use.
The exercise will include the construction and rehabilitation of canals, dykes and other interventions to boost rice farming in the area.
Speaking during the unveiling, Nyando Member of Parliament Jared Okello said the dredging of canals is aimed at unclogging blocked waterways to improve water flow to rice farms.
“This will put more idle land into productive use and allow farmers to benefit from higher crop yields, ultimately improving their livelihoods,” Okello said.
Okello added that the programme will also include the reclamation of vast tracts of land at the Dajo Sub-scheme in Kabonyo Kanyagwal Ward.
The legislator noted that the expansive Southwest Kano Irrigation Scheme has over 10 hectares of land, but only three hectares are currently under cultivation.
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He added that the government has renewed its commitment to reviving agriculture in the region by improving water supply and expanding cultivated acreage to increase yields, boost incomes and enhance food security.
“We have huge chunks of land lying idle, while people suffer from hunger. The government has invested resources to address food insecurity and ensure land is fully utilized,” Okello said.
The ongoing dykes construction in Ogenya, Mbega, Ambo and Nyamware areas, he added, is expected to mitigate perennial flooding and address backflow challenges from Lake Victoria.
LBDA Managing Director Wyckliffe Ochiaga said the programme will take about two weeks to complete.
He noted that the dredging of canals and construction of dykes will significantly address water shortages that have long affected rice farming and crop yields in the region.
Ochiaga revealed that out of the Ksh70 million allocated by the National Treasury for the rice mop-up exercise, Ksh30 million has already been spent over the past month at the South West Kano Irrigation scheme.
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“LBDA is working to ensure farmers get good returns by providing a ready market and shielding them from brokers who offer exploitative prices,” he said.
He added that the government is keen on offering incentives such as certified seeds and fertiliser to guarantee better returns.
Farmers, he said, are required to register to benefit from the programme.
“With a proper investment of about Ksh70,000, a farmer can easily earn up to Ksh200,000 after harvest,” Ochiaga explained.
He further said the Authority is committed to promoting best farming practices to increase rice yields from the current average of 2.5 tonnes to about 4.5 tonnes per hectare.
In addition, he added that drone technology will be deployed to spray pesticides, protecting rice crops from bird attacks and blight diseases.
By Juma Ndigo and Fredrick Odiero
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