Kirinyaga farmers reap big from county’s major irrigation projects
MUTAI KIPNGETICH- KNA
Farmers in Kirinyaga are reaping big benefits from irrigation pro jects initiated by the County Government of Kirinyaga.
The projects, aimed at in creasing access to irrigation water, have enabled thou sands of households to engage in subsistence farming, thereby boosting agricultural productivity, reducing food insecurity, and improving the living standards of many families in rural areas.
As part of an elaborate plan to expand the distribution network for both domestic and irrigation water, the county government has completed more than 70 water projects, with another 80 projects currently ongoing.
The government has been distributing water pipes and fittings and funding micro tunneling for various projects across the county, with a commitment to supporting farmers in increasing agricultural production amid re source scarcity and climate change.
One of the successful pro jects is the Kiamuka Irrigation Water Project in Mutira Ward, Kirinyaga Central.
The project, which benefits 800 households, has been trans forming these households through subsistence crop farming, made possible by efficient water management, even in the absence of rain fall.
Although the farms served by the project are generally fertile and have the potential to produce bumper harvests, farming was always a challenge due to over-dependence on rainfall. This reliance forced farmers to cultivate only during the rainy seasons, leaving many families vulnerable to food insecurity.
With the completion of the project, however, the story has changed, and farmers can now irrigate their farms and get a bumper harvest throughout the year.
John Maina, a resident of Kariko village and one of the beneficiaries of this project narrated how they used to fetch water from the river, a tedious and time-wasting task that often deprived them of time to attend other activities.
But with the project, they only allocate a few minutes to water their crops and then go about their other duties.
“Before the project was initiated, we struggled to grow enough food for our families but now we can irrigate our farms and grow crops such as vegetables whereby we produce enough for our families and sell the surplus to the market thus creating employment for ourselves,” Maina said.
The Chairman of Kiamuka Irrigation Water project Peter Muthii said availability of water has greatly benefited farmers since they can now cultivate throughout the year. He said despite it being a dry season, he was expecting to harvest his tomatoes from his small piece of land.
“The County Government has been assisting us with water distribution pipes, micro tunneling as well as training on proper use and maintenance of irrigation systems.
Many farms in this area are ever green since farmers do not have to wait for the rains to grow their crop,” the Chairman said.
Roselyn Muriithi, a retired government officer who is now a small-scale farmer, said with irrigation water she no longer must go to the market to buy vegetables since she gets them from her farm.