Harness rains to boost irrigation farming in dry areas

Water flowing from a water tank in Kaptembwa, Nakuru County. [David Gichuru, Standard]

The initial El Nino rains have started pounding many parts of the country and it is essential that the government and individuals take advantage by harvesting and preserving the waters to support irrigation farming.

A report by the Review of Irrigation Development in Kenya reveals that only 17 per cent of 582,646 km2 of Kenya's land area is classified as medium to high potential land with more than 700mm of rainfall per year, which is suitable for rain-fed agriculture.