Kenya could in five years be an exporter of maize according to the agriculture ministry.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei said this will be possible if the Galana-Kulalu food security project irrigation scheme is complete and successful.
“The Galana-Kulalu food programme in Tana River and Kilifi counties is a flagship for Kenya to ensure there is enough food in the country. It will integrate various food and cash crops. It will also cater for livestock, fresh produce and fisheries,” he said.
The five-year project that will cost the government Sh250 billion is anticipated to produce high yields of 40-50 (90kg) bags of maize on an acre per season.
If this happens, it will double the production of maize and Kenya will then be able to have enough and even export maize.
So far, about 10,000 acres have been cleared and will be used as model farms for all the anticipated production.
The project will be launched today in Tana River county by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Koskei said 500,000 acres will be set aside for maize and other rational crops such as beans and sorghum, 200,000 acres for sugarcane, 150,00 for beef, game animals and fisheries, 50,000 for horticulture, 50,000 for dairy animals and value added products and 50,000 acres for orchards and fruits.
“The programme is aimed at producing enough food crops, livestock and fish to feed our people while generating revenue and employment to about three million people,” he said.
Koskei said the project will have substantial area under irrigation as an important strategy and entry point for integrated farming for crop and animal production for local consumption and export market.
“This is an effort to address challenges of food security with associated high cost of living, rising food-driven inflation, poverty and growing social and political instability,” he said.
Koskei said currently the food situation in Kneya is good with 13.3 million bags of maize in store with the projection of another 32 million bags from the harvest of the two rainy seasons.