Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa, who presided over the launch of the first seed maize harvest, described the development as proof that \u201cthe Galana Kulalu project is on track to become a food hub for Kenya.\u201d The government estimates that the country spends about KSh500 billion annually on food imports, a burden the project aims to cut by increasing local production capacity. \u201cThis is a demonstration that the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda can deliver results if backed by sustained investment and collaboration,\u201d Mugaa said.<\/p>\n Read also:\u00a0Lagos hosts Africa\u2019s first Electric Powerboat Race, steering a shift in the continent\u2019s Blue Economy<\/a><\/p>\n The initial 1,500 acres under irrigation have yielded between 28 and 30 bags of seed maize per acre, a strong start given the semi-arid conditions of the Galana basin. Officials say that 330 acres will be harvested in the first phase over the next five days. Selu Limited, the private partner managing operations, plans to expand cultivation to 3,200 acres by the end of 2025 and 5,400 acres by June 2026. The long-term target is to irrigate 20,000 acres once additional water storage infrastructure is completed.<\/p>\n Cabinet Secretary of Water and Irrigation, Hon. Eric Mugaa climbing an agricultural tractor during the first maize harvest at Galana Kulalu<\/p><\/div>\n Central to this revival is the government\u2019s investment in modern irrigation systems. The project now includes a 20,000-cubic-metre intake well, a 550,000-cubic-metre reservoir, a 2-kilometre main canal, and a new 20,000-cubic-metre offtake pump, infrastructure that collectively stabilizes water supply to support year-round farming. According to Mugaa, two small dams already built in the region can supply irrigation for up to 6,300 acres, while a planned large dam will eventually make possible the irrigation of up to 200,000 acres.<\/p>\n Read also:\u00a0Ethiopia secures United States backing for $10 Billion Bishoftu International Airport project<\/a><\/p>\n At full operation, Galana Kulalu could become Kenya\u2019s single largest irrigated maize production zone, equivalent in size to the total irrigated area currently under maize cultivation in several other counties combined. Its output potential has implications not just for national food reserves but for regional grain stability in the Horn of Africa, where climate shocks have repeatedly disrupted rain-fed agriculture.<\/p>\n The partnership with Selu Limited has also begun to generate local employment. According to company CEO Nicholas Ambanya, about 200 jobs have already been created, with more expected as operations expand. \u201cThis project shows that public-private partnerships can deliver tangible results in food security and rural job creation,\u201d he said, noting that the company\u2019s investment model integrates mechanized farming and high-yield seed technology.<\/p>\n Government officials argue that irrigation, not rain dependence, will determine Kenya\u2019s agricultural future. Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho emphasized that Galana Kulalu \u201chas proven that with water, arid lands can be transformed into productive agricultural zones.\u201d He added that the ministry is working with other private investors interested in developing an additional 180,000 acres for cultivation across the region, a move that could make irrigation-based agriculture the cornerstone of Kenya\u2019s food strategy.<\/p>\n The project\u2019s progress has also drawn parliamentary scrutiny and support. National Assembly Water, Irrigation and Blue Economy Committee Chairman Kangogo Bowen, who inspected the site, said the funds allocated to the project have been effectively utilized. \u201cWe will continue to provide oversight and ensure that every shilling invested in irrigation infrastructure translates to measurable output,\u201d Bowen said.<\/p>\n Read also:\u00a0Morocco\u2019s whistled language faces extinction as drought and migration empty Atlas highlands<\/a><\/p>\n For Kenya, the revival of Galana Kulalu marks a broader policy shift, from large, state-driven schemes toward partnerships that distribute risk and align incentives for efficiency. The government\u2019s choice of a PPP framework reflects lessons learned from earlier phases of the project, which were hampered by cost overruns, poor management, and limited accountability. Under the current structure, Selu Limited bears operational responsibility and performance risk, while the state provides land, water infrastructure, and policy support.<\/p>\n The model\u2019s success will depend on how it balances productivity gains with environmental resilience. Experts warn that large-scale irrigation in fragile ecosystems can strain groundwater, alter soil chemistry, and increase salinity if not properly managed. The Galana basin, part of the lower Athi-Galana-Sabaki catchment, already faces periodic water scarcity and sedimentation challenges. Long-term viability will therefore require robust monitoring of water use efficiency, soil health, and biodiversity impacts.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Impact-Assesment.jpg\")
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