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By:
Benard Sanga | |||||||||
| Posted:
Apr,25-2016 12:26:47
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An irrigation scheme supported by Kilifi County and the Japan International Corporation Agency (Jica) has increased the acreage under cultivation and boosted farmers' revenues in the region significantly.
A report by the county government indicates that in the last three years, the total acreage under maize has increased from 75,000 hectares to 88,000 hectares, raising production from 780,000 bags or 39,000 tonnes in 2013 to 100,080 tonnes.
County Executive Committee in charge of Agriculture Mwalimu Menza said food production has increased progressively as the irrigation projects come on steam.The county has also provided growers with farm inputs, said Menza.
The county government in collaboration with Jica has commisioned the Mdachi and Mangudho small holder irrigation schemes which will put 150 acres under inundation in a programme in which the county injected Sh8 million to the Japanese agency's Sh22 million
"We have set up a 75-acre model farm in Uhai Marikano in Malindi sub-county as part of scaling up smallholder irrigation schemes in the county. We are working closely with 53 farmers and the model farm has provided high value vegetable seeds and maize," said Menza.
"In arid areas, the county government has invested heavily in water harvesting techniques.Ten 15,000 cubic metre water pans to provide water for irrigation and livestock rearing have been completed," he added. Five irrigation schemes have also been established in Kaloleni, Magharini and Ganze sub-counties which are often hit by famine. The initiative is benefiting 1,500 farmers. Each of the schemes covers 150 acres in areas where famine undermines the quality of life. "Because of the the famine less students went to school and malnutrition was endemic. This is why we have focused on irrigation . ---rain-fed agriculture is not reliable at all," Menza said. "There other irrigation projects draw water from the rivers but we have also constructed water pans in some areas," he added. In the last three years, Sh37 million has gone towards the purchase of certified seeds and a total of 73,897 hectares was put under crop. The county government also purchased and distributed more than 18,000 bags of DAP, NPK and CAN fertilisers to 3,891 farmers. And as part of a programme to precede the opening up of a cashew nut factory in Kilifi, 344 farmers were provided with 10,000 seedlings of new variety cashew nut. Cassava production has also increased in the last three years after 500,000 cuttings were distributed to 480 farmers. | |||||||||
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