Background Information

Bunyala Irrigation Scheme is one of the seven public schemes in Kenya started in 1959. It was started with an initial 534 acres under paddy rice production. It has been under production since then with 3,226 acres currently under irrigation. Located in Busia and Siaya counties, the scheme gets its irrigation waters from River Nzoia through pumping and flows by gravity through open earth channels to the farms.

Current Status

The Scheme currently has 3,226 acres under irrigation benefitting about 3,489 households. The National Irrigation Authority is implementing Lower Nzoia Irrigation Development Project with the aim of shifting from pump-fed to gravity irrigation. Once complete, the project will support Bunyala Irrigation Scheme farmers with enough water for irrigation through gravity and support an additional 10,000 acres of rice production.

Rice production

The Scheme embarked in increasing rice production through;

  • Expanding land under irrigation
  • Increasing cropping intensity and diversification
  • Increasing yield per unit area

The above interventions led to increased food security. In the financial year 2020/2021, the 10,000rice yield increased to tons up from 9,030 tons the previous year.

Projected Benefits/ Benefits being realized

  • Enhanced agricultural productivity in the region as a result of increased area under irrigation.
  • Improved nutrition as a result of diversification in crop production.
  • Creation of employment directly benefitting over 3,489 households helping transition several households to productive activities.
  • Improved livelihoods as a result of stable source of income.
  • Contributing to sustainable supply of raw materials for agro-based industries.
  • Reclaimed 600 acres of swampy land in Magavera for productive use in rice farming, adding to more farmers being engaged in irrigated farming.
  • Increased GDP as a result of increased agricultural productivity and economic growth.)

Figure 4: Farmers at Bunyala scheme rice seedling

Statistical Data

  • Location/County – Busia County / Siaya County
  • Year of establishment – 1959
  • Gazetted Area – 534 Acres
  • Main Crop – Rice
  • Area under Irrigation –3,226 Acres
  • Source of irrigation water – River Nzoia
  • No. of household farmers – 3,489 Households
  • Type of irrigation – Basin irrigation system
  • Other Crops – Pulses and Horticulture

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