After years of false starts, Galana-Kulalu turns into productive farmland

Maize under irrigation at Nyumba Agri Farm in Galana-Kulalu in Kilifi County. [Robert Menza]

The vast dry plains of Galana-Kulalu that cut across Kilifi and Tana River counties are now turning green following the introduction of irrigated farming ventures.

A large-scale agricultural project is taking shape in the area up ensuring a year-round food production for the local market.

About 1000 hectares has been put under maize, onion and cassava crops to address food security.

Rows of maize and onions stretch across hundreds of hectares, fed by water drawn from the Galana River and delivered through a network of modern irrigation systems with solar panels providing much of the energy needed to keep the water flowing.

The transformation is taking place in an area where the government has long envisioned a large-scale agricultural hub to help strengthen the country’s food security.

Nyumba Agri Products Limited, one of the private investors involved in the Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project, has deployed technology and invested more than Sh6 billion to grow crops year-round despite the region’s harsh climate.

“Irrigation is the backbone of every farming project. It is the key point when it comes to farming,” said Eric Kimathi, the company’s production and operations manager.

The farm currently operates 32 centre-pivot irrigation systems, with 23 under cultivation. Each pivot can irrigate about 120 acres. It plans to expand the number of pivots to 78 as more land is brought under production.

The farm is currently cultivating about 300 hectares of commercial maize, 275 hectares of seed maize and 310 hectares of onions, some cassava, soybeans and sisal.

Kimathi noted that the latest commercial maize harvest averaged 7.2 tonnes per hectare, adding that the investment looked promising so far.

For Kenya, which has repeatedly faced food shortages linked to drought and unreliable rainfall, the project illustrates the potential of irrigation to reduce dependence on weather and food imports.

“With commercial maize averaging seven tonnes per hectare and more than 300 hectares under production, it is a significant contribution to food security. Water is at the centre of the operation,” said Kimathi.

He added, “Irrigation is the backbone of this project. It allows us to farm throughout the year and contribute to food security even in a semi-arid area.”

A casual worker sorts onions at Nyumba Agri Farm in Galana-Kulalu in Kilifi County. [Robert Menza, Standard]

 Water is pumped from the Galana River into reservoirs and earth dams before being distributed to the fields.

Solar-powered equipment drives much of the irrigation system, with diesel generators used when additional power is required.

The use of solar energy is particularly important in an area where access to the national electricity grid remains limited.

The farm is also using fertigation technology, allowing water and fertiliser to be delivered directly to crops through the irrigation system.

Kimathi noted that the approach has helped the farm maintain production even when rainfall is scarce. Onion production has become one of the farm’s major activities.

Different fields are planted at different times, allowing for a more continuous harvest.

After harvesting, onions are sorted and processed for the local market while solar-powered drying technology is used to extend their shelf life and reduce losses.

Lower-grade onions are processed into flakes rather than being discarded. The firm has expanded into value addition by processing cassava into starch and other products.

More than 1,000 acres have been earmarked for sisal, while a processing plant is under construction.

The agricultural transformation is also creating employment in neighbouring communities.

About 1,800 people currently work at the project, according to the company, with much of the labour coming from surrounding villages.

Residents of Chakama, Shakahola, Baolala, Bombi, Habura and Danisa are among those benefiting from the jobs.

For workers such as Joyce Kafedha and Mwalimu Karisa, employment has provided an important source of income for their families.

Karisa who comes from Bombi village said the employment has enabled him to purchase a plot of and begin constructing a house. He has also acquired modern farming skills that he hopes to apply on his own farm.

“Before this project, many young people had no jobs. I have been able to save, buy a plot and start building my house,” said Karisa.

 Kafedha, a resident of Shakahola, who works in the onion fields, her earnings have enabled her to support and educate her younger siblings.

“This project has helped me support my family and educate my younger siblings. Many people here depend on this farm,” said Fedha.

They are calling for the expansion of the project to create more opportunities for residents.

“Our main aim for this project is to feed this nation. Everything harvested here goes to the local market. We are not exporting anything,” said Pravin Kerai, the farm’s administration manager.

Kerai noted that they have hired farm workers from the neighbouring villages, hence giving hope to local communities.

The firm also provides silage to livestock farmers in neighbouring communities affected by drought.

Galana-Kulalu has long been at the centre of Kenya’s plans to expand agricultural production.

The broader food security project aims to put about 300,000 acres under irrigation and commercial agriculture through public-private partnerships.

Previous efforts to develop the area, however, failed to deliver the transformation originally envisioned.

The growing presence of private investors is now offering a fresh test of whether the region can become a major agricultural frontier.

The experiment at Nyumba Agri suggests that a combination of irrigation, renewable energy, modern farming techniques and value addition can make commercial agriculture viable in an otherwise challenging environment.

But scaling up the model will require continued investment in water infrastructure, energy, roads, markets and processing facilities.

For now, the green fields cutting through the dry Galana-Kulalu landscape are a striking sign of change.

What was once largely barren land is producing food, creating jobs and demonstrating how technology could help Kenya turn some of its most challenging agricultural regions into productive farmland.