Lower Nzoia irrigation project to be complete in two months

Siaya

Tuesday July 25, 2023

KNA by Philip Onyango

The first phase of the multi-billion shilling Lower Nzoia Irrigation Development project is set for completion within the next two months, Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho has said. 

Once complete, the Sh 5.3 billion World Bank funded project will see rice farmers within the Bunyala irrigation scheme increase their production to 60,000 metric tonnes, Kimotho said. 

Speaking after a tour of the project that cuts across Siaya and Busia counties, Kimotho said that the first phase that is set for completion by 30th September 2023 will increase acreage under rice by 2,500 hectares. 

He said that the cost of production will also be reduced as water will be flowing by gravity from the intake point in Ugunja sub county in Siaya, as opposed to the current situation where the national Irrigation authority is forced to spend up to Sh4,000,000 monthly on electricity bills to pump water from river Nzoia. 

The principal secretary, who was flanked by Siaya county commissioner, Jim Njoka, County Secretary Joseph Ogutu and top National Irrigation Authority officials said that the project has a capacity of a further 10,000 hectares once the second phase is launched. 

Addressing the occasion, Budalang’i MP, Raphael Wanjala hailed the government for ensuring that the project was complete, adding that it will enhance food security not only in Siaya and Busia counties, but the country as a whole. 

“Maize has become very expensive and we must think of rice as an alternative food,” said the legislator. 

Wanjala called on the government to consider putting up a rice mill within the Bunyala irrigation scheme to enable farmers to process their crops with ease. 

Siaya county secretary, Joseph Ogutu who represented Governor James Orengo said Siaya county government was committed to support the project, adding that they will ensure that farmers were capacity-built to enhance production and form cooperative societies to market their crops. 

The construction of the Mult-ibillion Lower Nzoia Irrigation Development project kicked off in 2018 and was intended to among others control the perennial river Nzoia floods that have been a menace in Budalang’i.

Courtesy ; K. N. A