THE POTENTIAL OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE

IN THE COUNTIES

ENGINEERS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE9TH -11TH May 2012

By: Eng. George Odedeh

Largest and most dominant single contributor.

Between 2006 and 2010, contributed an average 22.5 % to GDP.

Contribution in form of:◦ Growing of crops & horticulture◦ Farming of animals◦ Agricultural & animal husbandry services◦ Forestry & logging

1. AGRICULTURE AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

Contribution may be higher when value added agricultural products and fishing are taken into account.

Strong correlation between performance of agriculture and GDP (MoA).

1. AGRICULTURE AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY contd

No

.

Industry 2006 2007 200

8

2009+ 2010*

1 Agriculture and forestry 23.4 21.7 22.3 23.5 21.5

2 Transport and Communication 10.6 10.6 10.2 9.8 9.8

3 Manufacturing 10.3 10.4 10.8 9.9 10.0

4 Wholesale and retail trade,

repairs

9.3 9.7 10.1 9.8 10.3

5 Education 6.9 6.7 6.3 5.7 5.7

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY ACTIVITY 2006-2010(Percent Contributions to GDP)

Country’s population is predominantly rural (~80%).

Opportunity for economic engagement is predominantly through agriculture.

Best use of the resources available to them, labour, land and water (mainly rain when it comes).

This generates other economic activities (Kericho, Kiambu, Kisii, Uasin Gishu,etc)

2. AGRICULTURE AND THE RURAL ECONOMY

Good for unlocking economic potential of counties.

Creates purchasing power on a wider population base compared to other interventions

2. AGRICULTURE AND THE RURAL ECONOMY contd

80% of country’s land resources classified as arid or semi-arid.

Rising population and change of use in the 17 % arable land has led to declining production.

Climate change has worsened situation leading to declining or loss of livelihoods and forex.

Higher poverty incidence and food insecurity.

3. IRRIGATION AND AGRICULTURE

Irrigation one of the best ways to sustain production horizontally (more land) and vertically (3-4 times productivity).

Supports soil and forest conservation. Responds to national objectives of fighting

poverty, ignorance and disease in a very effective way compared to other interventions.

Creates mini-economies (Wanguru, Hola, Ahero, Marigat, Bura, etc)

3. IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE

No. Irrigation Scheme Area (ha) Annual

Value of

Production

(Kshs)

1 Mwea 8,819 4 billion

2 Bura 3,200 2.9 billion

3 Hola 1,600 1.5 billion

4 Perkerra 800 380 million

5 Ahero 1,200 650 million

6 West Kano 890 550 million

7 Bunyala 680 450 million

Gross Value of Annual Production in Irrigation Schemes

Allows for steady supply of raw materials for industry and markets (Delmonte, flower farms, etc).

Major player in forex earnings (cut flowers and horticultural produce).

3. IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE contd

In line with Article 186 (3) of CoK, irrigation development is a national function for now.

Appropriate since irrigation often relies on water passing through other counties.

Some facilities lie intake works or reservoirs and conveyance systems may be in other counties e.g. Lower Nzoia, Greater Bura, etc.

Irrigation is a major consumer of water (70% of all use) thus requires national planning.

4. POTENTIAL IN COUNTIES

National Irrigation potential is 539,000 ha and 1.3 million ha without and with storage respectively.

Only 22% of the without storage & 9% of the with storage potential already developed.

Huge potential for development exists. NIB compiling a data base of all potential

irrigation projects in each county on basin basis

4. POTENTIAL IN COUNTIES contd

MWI preparing new NWMP, including irrigation.

Some counties have no potential unless ground water sources are investigated further.

Basin wide approach to irrigation planning recommended by the NIB, at whatever level irrigation development is done.

Investments in technology should depend on opportunity cost of water.

4. POTENTIAL IN COUNTIES

Benefits shall accrue when economies of scale are achieved for each investment (at project and household level)

Irrigation schemes can be a major source of revenue for counties (Mwea and Kirinyaga, Bura/Hola and Tana River, Baringo and Perkerra).

5.POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO COUNTIES

Competition for resources and order in priority list.

Inadequate number of professionals with required experience (scope, complexity, exposure).

Water resource availability, access & quality. Social and environmental aspects (land) Beneficiary participation

6. CHALLENGES TO DEVELOPMENT

Small farm sizes at household level leading to poor economies of scale (sustainability) in some projects.

Inapproriate level of infrastructure services e.g. roads, power, e.t.c. otherwise high costs and low prices of produce.

Inadequate irrigated agriculture production capacity (farmers and extension officers)

Inadequate market support services.

6. CHALLENGES TO DEVELOPMENT contd

Immense unutilized irrigation potential, including green houses.

Existing high demand for agricultural produce within the country and the region.

Adequate (idle) labour. Refocusing on irrigation and water storage

investments internationally. Achievement of Vision 2030 targets

(industrialisation/socio-economic growth)

7. OPPORTUNITIES

Parliament passed a motion to develop at least 2,000 acres per constituency.

7. OPPORTUNITIES contd

ThanK you for listening and your

patience

THE END