Farmers to get 500 households dams to boost production

Peter Muriuki's household dam in Tigithi area has a capacity of over one million liters of water over 500 dams are set to be dug in Laikipia County by the end of the year. [Jacinta Mutura/Standard)

Farmers in Laikipia are set to benefit, with more than 500 small household dams to boost crop production.

At least 120 such dams have been built in Laikipia East, with 70 more expected to be complete by the end of the year.

The dams are expected to collect over 1 million litres of water from flash floods and put an end to perennial water shortage that hits the area during drought seasons.

“I had dug a smaller water pan in my farm, but it has not been retaining enough water for crops,” said Margaret Wanjiru, a Tigithi farmer.

The dams, whose intakes will be trenches dug on roadsides, are also expected to reduce road damage caused by floods.

Take advantage

One of the beneficiaries of the project, Peter Muriuki, said it would reduce the long distances walked in search of water and increase food production.

“I used to farm a quarter acre of land and now that I have water, I will increase to at least two acres and plant a larger variety of crops,” said Mr Muriuki.

County Assembly Speaker Patrick Waigwa urged the residents to take advantage of the programme by the National Irrigation Board to dig more dams.

Laikipia East and North sub-counties are largely arid and semi-arid areas where residents rely on relief food.

“Laikipia suffers drought and flooding in equal measure, and these dams will enable farmers to continue with their farming projects even when drought hits,” said Mr Waigwa.