Background
The development of Bura Irrigation Scheme began in 1978 with 6,700 hectares set aside for irrigation in Phase One and 5,000 hectares for Phase Two. It kicked off with combined efforts from the World Bank, the Government of Kenya and a few other donors with the aim of developing rural areas and providing job opportunities.
The National Irrigation Authority then Board was in charge of the scheme at its inception in 1978 up to 1985. Thereafter, the scheme management was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture, then Ministry of Regional Development, Ministry of Land Reclamation, Regional and Water Development and back to Ministry of Agriculture up to 2002. In 2003, the scheme management changed to Ministry of Water and Irrigation. In December 2005, the scheme management again changed hands and was taken over by National Irrigation Authority.
The scheme abstracts irrigation water from River Tana about 50 Km by pumping using diesel fueled generators and pump sets with a discharge capacity of 2.7m3 /sec. Once the irrigation water is lifted from the river, it flows by gravity through all the distribution systems to the farms where farmers use siphons for applying in their fields.
The Scheme has a tenant population of 2,245 farmers settled in 11 villages where each farmer has 3 acres for cash crops and 0.125 acres for domestic vegetables. A gravity system of water conveyance is currently under construction which once completed, will lower the operational costs of the scheme. The crops being grown are: Rice (Komboka variety), Seed Maize (contracted by various seed companies) Commercial Maize, Water melons, Onions, Tomatoes among other crops. The current area installed with infrastructure is 12,000 acres and with gravity system, the area will increase to about 25,000 acres.
- Source of food and raw materials for the farming population and supporting of the local economy and industry.
- Creation of employment.
- Improving and rehabilitating the environment through afforestation.
- Promoting peaceful co-existence between crop and Livestock farmers.
- Settlement of the landless members of the society
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Tana river County |
| Year of establishment | 1978 |
| Gazetted area | 172,000 Acres |
| Area installed with irrigation infrastructure | 12,000 acres (10,000 Acres Main scheme and 2000 agro forest area) |
| Current beneficiaries | 2,245 Households |
| Settlement of farmers | Settled in 11 villages |
| Land allocated per farmer | 3 acres for main crop production and 0.125 acres for vegetable garden ”Maendeleo plot” |
| Area actively utilized | 10,000 Acres |
| Land Tenure | Tenancy system |
| Source of Water | River Tana |
| Method of water abstraction | Pumping(by use of diesel generators)-2 pumps with a discharge capacity 2.7 M3/sec or (2700 lts per sec) |
| Type of irrigation method | Surface(furrow)Irrigation |
| Main crops grown | Rice and Maize |
| Other Crops | Cotton, watermelon, green grams, onions and Pasture |
| Farmers organizations | IWUA, Co-operative society, Revolving Fund (CBO), Scheme management committee and Dispute resolution committee. |
| Distribution of scheme developed area (Acres)Per Command |
|
Scope of the Project
The scheme design is based on water conveyance by gravity with surface irrigation method being applied in order to reduce costs besides being easy to use. The project will be implemented in three phases. The scope of the project consists of; sheet piling and associated Korakora Intake works, completion of new main canal, its hydraulic structures and associated civil works and finally Rehabilitation of existing irrigation infrastructures.
