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THE POTENTIAL OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTIES

THE POTENTIAL OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTIES. ENGINEERS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 9 TH -11 TH May 2012 By: Eng. George Odedeh. 1. AGRICULTURE AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY. Largest and most dominant single contributor. Between 2006 and 2010, contributed an average 22.5 % to GDP.

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THE POTENTIAL OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTIES

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  1. THE POTENTIAL OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTIES ENGINEERS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 9TH -11TH May 2012 By: Eng. George Odedeh

  2. 1. AGRICULTURE AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY • Largest and most dominant single contributor. • Between 2006 and 2010, contributed an average 22.5 % to GDP. • Contribution in form of: • Growing of crops & horticulture • Farming of animals • Agricultural & animal husbandry services • Forestry & logging

  3. 1. AGRICULTURE AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY contd • Contribution may be higher when value added agricultural products and fishing are taken into account. • Strong correlation between performance of agriculture and GDP (MoA).

  4. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY ACTIVITY 2006-2010 (Percent Contributions to GDP)

  5. 2. AGRICULTURE AND THE RURAL ECONOMY • Country’s population is predominantly rural (~80%). • Opportunity for economic engagement is predominantly through agriculture. • Best use of the resources available to them, labour, land and water (mainly rain when it comes). • This generates other economic activities (Kericho, Kiambu, Kisii, UasinGishu,etc)

  6. 2. AGRICULTURE AND THE RURAL ECONOMY contd • Good for unlocking economic potential of counties. • Creates purchasing power on a wider population base compared to other interventions

  7. 3. IRRIGATION AND AGRICULTURE • 80% of country’s land resources classified as arid or semi-arid. • Rising population and change of use in the 17 % arable land has led to declining production. • Climate change has worsened situation leading to declining or loss of livelihoods and forex. • Higher poverty incidence and food insecurity.

  8. 3. IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE • Irrigation one of the best ways to sustain production horizontally (more land) and vertically (3-4 times productivity). • Supports soil and forest conservation. • Responds to national objectives of fighting poverty, ignorance and disease in a very effective way compared to other interventions. • Creates mini-economies (Wanguru, Hola, Ahero, Marigat, Bura, etc)

  9. Gross Value of Annual Production in Irrigation Schemes

  10. 3. IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE contd • Allows for steady supply of raw materials for industry and markets (Delmonte, flower farms, etc). • Major player in forex earnings (cut flowers and horticultural produce).

  11. 4. POTENTIAL IN COUNTIES • In line with Article 186 (3) of CoK, irrigation development is a national function for now. • Appropriate since irrigation often relies on water passing through other counties. • Some facilities lie intake works or reservoirs and conveyance systems may be in other counties e.g. Lower Nzoia, Greater Bura, etc. • Irrigation is a major consumer of water (70% of all use) thus requires national planning.

  12. 4. POTENTIAL IN COUNTIES contd • National Irrigation potential is 539,000 ha and 1.3 million ha without and with storage respectively. • Only 22% of the without storage & 9% of the with storage potential already developed. • Huge potential for development exists. • NIB compiling a data base of all potential irrigation projects in each county on basin basis

  13. 4. POTENTIAL IN COUNTIES • MWI preparing new NWMP, including irrigation. • Some counties have no potential unless ground water sources are investigated further. • Basin wide approach to irrigation planning recommended by the NIB, at whatever level irrigation development is done. • Investments in technology should depend on opportunity cost of water.

  14. 5.POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO COUNTIES • Benefits shall accrue when economies of scale are achieved for each investment (at project and household level) • Irrigation schemes can be a major source of revenue for counties (Mwea and Kirinyaga, Bura/Hola and Tana River, Baringo and Perkerra).

  15. 6. CHALLENGES TO DEVELOPMENT • Competition for resources and order in priority list. • Inadequate number of professionals with required experience (scope, complexity, exposure). • Water resource availability, access & quality. • Social and environmental aspects (land) • Beneficiary participation

  16. 6. CHALLENGES TO DEVELOPMENT contd • Small farm sizes at household level leading to poor economies of scale (sustainability) in some projects. • Inapproriate level of infrastructure services e.g. roads, power, e.t.c. otherwise high costs and low prices of produce. • Inadequate irrigated agriculture production capacity (farmers and extension officers) • Inadequate market support services.

  17. 7. OPPORTUNITIES • Immense unutilized irrigation potential, including green houses. • Existing high demand for agricultural produce within the country and the region. • Adequate (idle) labour. • Refocusing on irrigation and water storage investments internationally. • Achievement of Vision 2030 targets (industrialisation/socio-economic growth)

  18. 7. OPPORTUNITIES contd • Parliament passed a motion to develop at least 2,000 acres per constituency.

  19. ThanK you for listening and your patience THE END

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