Background Information
Perkerra Irrigation Scheme is situated 100 kms North of Nakuru near Marigat Township in Baringo South Sub-County. It derives its name from the River Perkerra, which is the source of irrigation water and the only permanent river in the region.
The construction of the scheme started in 1954 after several feasibility studies, which showed that the Perkerra plains were suitable for irrigation. The last study was done in 1936 but due to financial constraints construction was shelved until the “State of Emergency” period, when detainees provided labour for construction purposes. Marigat was one of the many detention camps in the country at that time.
Beneficiary population comprising of direct dependents is approximately 13,000 people. It also, indirectly, benefits the larger Baringo and including parts of Nakuru Counties.
Among all the Towns in Baringo County, Marigat is leading generator of revenue of about KES 54 million annually. This is attributed mainly to irrigated agriculture.
Current Status
In 1996 the Scheme farmers started planting seed maize crop under a growing agreement with Kenya Seed Company. Certified seed maize production became a turning point for crop production in the Scheme. Assured market as well as better and prompt payment elated the farmers who improved crop husbandry practices leading to improved production.
Due to increased popularity of the seed maize production in the Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, other neighbouring Irrigation Schemes – Eldume, Sandai, Kamoskoi, Kapkuikui and Mosuro Irrigation Schemes which were community-based and with their own source of irrigation water from rivers Molo, Waseges, Lorwai springs and Kiserian river respectively have been incorporated into the production of the seed maize following the farmers’ request. The scheme is currently under expansion and irrigation water challenges will be addressed after construction of Radat dam.
The Maize Seed varieties produced are for the medium and low altitudes, and include H513, PH4 and DHO4 from Kenya Seed Company and DK777 from Monsanto.
Last year (2021) farmers planted 2,600 acres of seed maize for Kenya Seed Company on contract at a negotiated price of Kshs. 74.00 per Kg. The yields were good despite a few challenges encountered. Farmers delivered a total of 5,590 tonnes to Kenya Seed Company Limited valued at 413.6 Million shillings.
Crop | Acreage | Growth Stage | Approx. yield, Kg | Price Kes | Expected Income Kes | Marketer |
Maize seed | 135 | Maturity | 270,000 | 66 | 17,820,000 | Monsanto |
Green Grams | 420 | Harvesting | 270,000 | 66 | 17,820,000 | Monsanto |
Beans | 90 | Flowering | 32,400 | 100 | 3,240,000 | Sim law seeds |
Cow peas | 55 | Flowering | 19,800 | 120 | 2,376,000 | Sim law seeds |
Sorghum | 100 | Harvesting | 135,000 | 45 | 6,075,000 | Kenya Seed Co. Ltd |
Total | 800 | 56,727,000 |
Statistical Data
- Location/County – Baringo County
- Year of establishment – 1956
- Gazetted Area – 5,800 Acres
- Main Crop – Seed Maize
- Area under Irrigation – 3,000 Acres
- Source of irrigation water – River Perkerra
- No. of household farmers – 1,625 Households
- Type of irrigation – Gravity fed open earth channel conveyance with open furrow application system
- Other Crops – Water melon, onions and vegetables
Projected Benefits/ Benefits being realized
Perkerra Irrigation scheme has brought a lot of benefits to the local community, Marigat town, baringo County and the Country at large, and they are as follows:
- Enhanced food security
- Provided access to water by households and livestock
- Improved the livelihoods of farmers in the community
- Created employment
- Provided a source of income to the farmers. Farmers delivered 5,590 tonnes to Kenya Seed Company Limited valued at 413.6 Million shillings.