The Gwa Kiongo Irrigation Project in Mirangine Ward, Nyandarua County, is expected to place about 500 acres under irrigation upon completion as the government seeks to expand agricultural production and reduce reliance on rain-fed farming.
Speaking during an inspection of the project, Principal Secretary for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho said the initiative will enable farmers to cultivate throughout the year through reliable access to water.
The project will be implemented in phases, with the first phase expected to bring about 250 acres under irrigation, while the second phase will add another 250 acres, according to the State Department for Irrigation.
The government says the project is designed to benefit more than 1,000 farmers through an irrigation piping network that will support up to three cropping seasons annually.
PS Kimotho said increased irrigation will boost production of high-value crops, improve household incomes and strengthen resilience against the effects of climate change.
He added that higher agricultural output will create opportunities for value addition, agro-processing, food exports and agribusiness development while supporting Kenya’s food security goals.
The inspection was attended by a multi-sectoral government team, including Principal Secretary for the Blue Economy Betsy Njagi, Principal Secretary for Energy Alex Wachira, and former Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria.
The team also distributed 20,000 fish fingerlings and fish feeds to farmers as part of efforts to promote aquaculture and diversify livelihoods around the dam.
The State Department for Irrigation has also identified more than 150 former colonial dams across Nyandarua County for rehabilitation, PS Kimotho said.
The planned rehabilitation programme aims to expand water harvesting and storage capacity to support irrigation, livestock production, aquaculture and water supply for farming communities.
The government says the investments are part of efforts to improve agricultural productivity and support economic growth under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
