Sh40 million irrigation project changes many lives

Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina (centre) with an arrowroot farmer in Ngoliba, Thika East. [Kamau Maichuhie, Standard]

Thika Town constituents have been urged to embrace irrigation farming after a stalled project was revived a few months ago.

Area MP Patrick Wainaina said Ndula-Magogoni-Ngoliba Irrigation Scheme will help alleviate perennial hunger.

He said the project was revived by Jungle Nut Foundation at a cost of Sh40 million, and is already changing lives in Thika East Sub-county.

“I encourage farmers to form clusters that will help them attract funding and more government assistance in terms of training for improved yields and more income,” said Wainaina.

Ndura, Ngoliba and Kilimambogo villages have been synonymous with drought and hunger, and residents have been depending on relief food from the government for years.

But now some residents are already investing in irrigation farming to meet growing demand for their farm produce.

“This irrigation project is a godsend to us. It is what we have been looking for for decades. We are now able to grow crops all year round, regardless of the season,” said Swale Githinji.

Githinji, a banana and maize farmer in Ndula, said he has been using drip irrigation in his farm during the dry season.

“Since September last year when this project was actualised, I make at least Sh60,000 a month from sale of bananas,” he said.