Rice irrigation to boost food security

By Patrick Beja

The Tana Delta will be put under irrigation to boost food security, the Government has announced.

Regional Development Minister Fred Gumo said apart from plans by the Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (Tarda) to expand rice production at the lower part of River Tana, the Government would provide water to local farmers to grow the crop.

The project is aimed at ensuring that Kenya does not remain a net importer of rice while up to 200,000 hectares can produce rice in the Tana Delta alone through irrigation.

"We are going to supply water through irrigation canals to farmers so that they also grow rice, which will be taken to the Tarda milling plant in the area. This will improve food security and income for local communities," Gumo said.

He spoke at Wema village at the weekend after touring a 1,000-hectare Tarda farm under rice as well as an ultra-modern rice milling plant at Gamba.

Water supply

Mr Gumo said Tarda was in discussion with Kenya Electricity Generating Company to ensure adequate water supply throughout the year to sustain irrigation.

Tarda revived irrigated rice growing in the Tana Delta in 2009 through the Economic Stimulus Programme after rice production and milling collapsed in 1998 when the area was flooded during El Nino rains.

Tarda officials said they targeted to place 12,000 hectares under rice production.

Lands Minister James Orengo, Garsen MP Danson Mungatana, Tarda MD Peter Bwogero and Tana Delta Project Manager Philip Oloo accompanied Gumo.

Mr Orengo said he was in the area to speed up the issuance of title deeds to local residents to boost commercial rice and sugarcane farming.

"I will make another visit mid-December to ensure title deeds are issued without further delay. The ministry is keen to issue the titles to residents of Lamu, Tana River and Kilifi counties," Orengo said.

Mr Mungatana said resettlement of residents would boost farming and urged Orengo to speed up the process of issuing titles.

Title deeds

"I am going to make a follow up to ensure title deeds are issued to residents. It has taken long to address this matter," he said.

Mr Bwogero said Tarda was expanding rice production and that the ultra-modern milling plant "had come to life".

"Our casual workers are going to be paid Sh205 a day instead of Sh150," he announced.

Mr Oloo said Tarda had erected a 14km dyke to contain flooding in the area under the rice project.

"We have six tonnes of rice seeds for planting and distribution to local farmers," he said.