The National Irrigation Authority has been implementing Irrigation projects across the country that are geared towards increasing area under Irrigation so as realize food security.
The chairman of the Board Hon. Eng. Joshua Toro, REng, MIEK accompanied by Siaya County Commissioner Jim Njoka, Ag Deputy General Manager, Operations Mr. Joel Tanui and other officials from the Government and National Irrigation Authority conducted an inspection tour on the progress of Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project in Siaya and Busia Counties and later held a meeting with Bunyala Irrigation Scheme Farmers.
The project which started on June 2018 is expected to be completed by September 2023. Once completed, farmers in Bunyala Irrigation scheme will have enough water for irrigation through out the year and put an additional 10,000 acres of the under irrigation in the two counties in phase 1 with a potential of another 10,000 acres to be realized in the second phase. Completion of phase 1 will also convert the water abstraction system in Bunyala from the expensive pumping system to gravity fed system. This will ensure the cost of production is lowered and allow more farmers participate in rice farming among other crops in the region.
During the inspection, the Chairman and the County Commissioner addressed all the challenges that were hindering progress of the works especially related to relocation of already compensated farmers and other stakeholders to pave way for the contractor to continue without interuptions. The team was pleased with the progress of the project and requested the team on the ground to work as a team to ensure the project is delivered on time.