The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
The Galana Kulalu food security project is set to expand significantly, adding 1,500 acres for irrigation, bringing the total area under cultivation to 2,560 acres. This comes in addition to the current 1,060 acres already dedicated to seed maize production.
Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa confirmed that the additional 1,500 acres will be cultivated within the next three weeks, with a goal of reaching 3,200 acres under crop by the end of the year. The first maize crop, planted in May, is expected to mature by early October.
Launched in 2013 under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project was intended to drive large-scale irrigation and boost food production. Despite facing challenges like budget cuts and other issues, the project has made notable strides, especially in seed maize production.
Located in Kilifi and Tana River counties, the project is managed by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA). The initiative aims to create a diverse agro-industrial hub that includes maize, sugarcane, horticulture, dairy, beef ranching, aquaculture, eco-tourism, and agro-processing industries.
After a presidential directive in January 2023, the project was restructured into a Public-Private Partnership model. This revised approach includes cultivating the 10,000 acres already developed and expanding to an additional 10,000 acres in the medium term.
Mugaa highlighted that unlocking the area’s full agricultural potential also depends on key infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Sabaki Bridge, which will open up over 200,000 acres of farmland.
“We’ve inspected the bridge, and the piers are already built. The contractor is currently precasting beams for the deck. Once completed, it will ease transportation of key inputs like fertilizer,” Mugaa stated.
To support irrigation efforts, NIA has also constructed a small dam with a 500-cubic-meter capacity, along with intake works, pumping systems, and active irrigation systems to serve the crops. Currently, 1,060 acres of seed maize are in various growth stages, and more than seven pivots are operational. Two additional pivots are being prepared, bringing the total irrigated area to 1,500 acres.
Mugaa confirmed that the Sabaki Bridge is about 50% complete, which is expected to greatly improve logistics for the project.
“Our target remains 3,200 acres under crop by year-end,” he said.
He was joined by Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho, Irrigation Secretary Joel Tanui, NIA CEO Charles Muasya, and officials from the private sector partner.
Muasya also spoke about new water infrastructure developments, including a 20,000-cubic-meter intake well, a two-kilometer lined canal, a 550,000-cubic-meter reservoir, and a 20,000-cubic-meter offtake sump, all of which are supporting the seed maize irrigation.
