NIA AND H2O CONSORTIUM LEAD COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND CSR INITIATIVE AT KOBONG’O IN SUPPORT OF AHERO IRRIGATION SCHEME REHABILITATION

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA), together with the H2O Consortium team, represented by VTK Innosystem, today conducted a joint community outreach, training and stakeholder engagement session with residents and farmers of the Kobong’o area in Nyando Sub-county, Kisumu County.

The activity organized by VTK Innosystem in partneship with NIA is part of the ongoing Rehabilitation and Upgrading of the Ahero Irrigation Scheme Pumping Station project. It is also aligned with the global initiative of H2O Consortium leading up and centered around the World Water Day on 22nd of March.

The session served as a capacity building forum where the teams provided training on the project scope, water management and the importance of irrigation.

Community members were given an opportunity to openly discuss the challenges they are experiencing, fostering transparency, collaboration and inclusive participation in project implementation.

As part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity, the H2O Consortium donated 1,000 grafted mango seedlings, with each farmer receiving five (5) seedlings to grow.

The initiative promotes environmental conservation and reinforces sustainable water resource management within the irrigation scheme. Educational materials were also distributed to farmers to enhance knowledge on irrigation and water conservation.

The engagement underscores the two institutions commitment to capacity building, environmental sustainability and community empowerment as they jointly continue to advance irrigation development for improved food security and economic growth in Kenya.