The national government has set aside Sh1.2 billion for water projects in Nyeri county.
Water CS Sicily Kariuki said the government has undertaken 15 water projects in Nyeri – nine are complete and six are a work in progress.
She said the government is committed to ensuring there is no delay in the implementation of the projects that form part of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy.
Kariuki spoke in Chinga, Othaya, on Friday when she inspected the ongoing construction of the Sh151 million Changachicha irrigation water project.
The project is being implemented by the National Irrigation Authority.
The first phase of Changachicha will benefit 1,000 farmers. It is expected to irrigate 5,000 acres.
“The next phase of this project will put another 2,000 farmers under irrigation, meaning 3,000 farmers or households will benefit,” Kariuki said.
Once completed, the project will benefit 10,000 farmers.
The project is about 60 per cent complete. It is supposed to be completed and handed over to farmers in December this year.
“I must say that I am happy considering that we are running ahead of the completion time,” she said.
The project has created jobs for 400 residents. They help dig trenches and lay pipes.
The government, Kariuki said, is in the process of organising capacity building for the committee and farmers to ensure the sustainability of the project.
“It is also a project where the farmers are all going to be equipped with knowledge to take care of the new crops that will be introduced in this area,” she said.
The project will be one of the enablers of the Big Four agenda pillars of ensuring food security.
The community will have moved into commercialisation of agriculture in addition to coffee and tea.
She said this would also enable them to move to higher value crop production, including horticulture, sell the produce and improve their economic welfare.
Project chairman Raphael Kimathi said once complete, it will boost the economy of the area as people will be self-employed by engaging in agricultural activities.
Farmers, he said, plan to venture into horticulture and grow one crop so they can have bargaining power while selling.
He said farmers will be doing farming as a business and not just farming for the sake of it.
Edited by A.N
