CS Inspection Visit to Changachicha Irrigation Project
The CS Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Sicily K. Kariuki (Mrs), E.G.H visited Changachicha Irrigation Project being implemented by the National Irrigation Authority. It is located in Chinga Ward, Othaya Constituency, Nyeri South Sub County and covers a total area of 500 acres. She was accompanied by Nyeri County Commissioner Lyford Kibaara, Irrigation Secretary Mr. Aboud Moeva, The National Irrigation Authority CEO Gitonga Mugambi, and other senior Government officials . She inspected ongoing works at the project and was happy with the progress and its implementation status. The CS notified farmers that The Authority will train them on the best farming practices so that they can fully benefit from the project thus ensuring a self-sufficient country through irrigated agriculture.
The works being undertaken by The Authority in Changachicha Irrigation Project include; intake works, 5,840m long conveyance, 12,340m long Karandi-Mucharage-Kariki mainline, 1,350m long Karandi-Kiganjo mainline, 6,260m long Karandi-Ngaru-Kiriti mainline, distribution lines, feeder lines, and infield system. The progress of works is at 60% with the project set to be complete by February 2022. Once complete, it will create wealth and job opportunities for about 2000 direct beneficiaries and about 10,000 indirect beneficiaries. It will also generate about Ksh. 175 million into the economy annually. Crops to be grown include high-value commercial vegetables such as potatoes, cabbages, kales, tomatoes, garden peas, spinach, and carrots among others. It is one of the projects meant to contribute to the realization of the Big 4 Agenda on Food Security and Nutrition and vision 2030 goals on Irrigation expansion.