CS Eugene Wamalwa says Galana-Kulalu maize seed trials a success

 

Trials on new varieties of maize seed at the Sh7 billion Galana/Kulalu irrigation project have yielded positive results.

The breakthrough on four varieties set to produce 20,000 bags of maize from 500 hectares next month is an achievement after previous failed test runs.

It is part of the 2,000 hectares of virgin land under trials in Tana River County under a project done with the latest technology and expertise from the Israeli government.

The development is an assurance that the project is on track as it was the centre of bilateral talks between Kenya and Israel during President Uhuru Kenyatta' s visit early this year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu jets into the country today for a two-day visit, which will include a follow-up on the project.

"We have made huge progress on this project... Next month, we will be harvesting approximately 40 bags per hectare," said Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.

The CS, who toured the project yesterday in the company of Irrigation Principal Secretary Patrick Nduati and National Irrigation Board General Manager Mugambi Gitonga, said the country would soon be food sufficient soon following the breakthrough.

"The PM (Israeli) visit will definitely firm up this project because it was one of the centre-pieces of engagement in Jerusalem, a declaration that the two leaders signed. Netanyahu's visit is set to expand the bilateral support and roll out the project to other regions," said the CS.

With 2,000 hectares, the country is assured of around 80,000 bags of maize. Presently, Kenya imports 10 million bags annually to bridge local production shortfall, especially in traditional food growing regions.

The minister admitted that coming up with the top four best maize seed varieties was not an easy task and this was not the final run, as other crops will be tested.

Kenya is partnering with Israel to learn the latest technology that will cure the perennial food scarcity, especially with unpredictable weather.

"The project was initially to cost Sh14 billion but was scaled down to Sh7 billion. We are engaging Israeli expertise for rotational crops," said the CS.