CABINET SECRETARY FOR WATER, SANITATION AND IRRIGATION, ENG. ERIC MUGAA INSPECTION TOUR OF A SEED CANE FARM IN BURA IRRIGATION SCHEME.
Today, the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Mugaa; the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS; the Irrigation Secretary for Land Reclamation, Climate Resilience and Irrigation, Mr. Joel Tanui; and the CEO of the National Irrigation Authority, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS conducted an inspection tour of a seed cane farm in Bura Irrigation Scheme.
They were joined by the NIA management, Bura Irrigation Scheme leaders and farmers.
Upon completion of the gravity canal and commissioning by His Excellency the President early this year, the project has attracted private investors taking up production in the scheme. The recent investor is doing a trial of sugarcane. Currently eight varieties of seed cane, with an expected yield of approximately 100 tones per 2.5 acres have been planted.
The Cabinet Secretary encouraged farmers to form cooperatives and actively participate in farming to ensure full utilization of the expanded scheme area. He also called on the community to collaborate closely with the Scheme management for sustained success.
The Chairman of Bura Irrigation Water Users Association (IWUA) Abdilizak Madhobe affirmed the farmers’ commitment to expanding their farming activities. He expressed gratitude that the current cropping programme now covers the entire developed 12,000 acres due to sufficient water in the scheme.
The sugarcane project has already created employment for 50 local residents and facilitated knowledge transfer, as all farming activities are done manually.
Omar Nur, a young employee at the sugarcane farm, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to gain both employment and practical training in sugarcane farming.
The Authority is working to engage private partners to ensure the entire expanded area of Bura Irrigation Scheme is brought under cultivation, as part of national efforts to address the food deficit in line with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.