Taita Taveta County has handed over a multi-billion irrigation project to farmers in Nakuruto and Challa areas after its completion by the Coast Development Authority (CDA).
At least 100 smallholder farmers are set to benefit from the first phase of the project championed by the CDA in the region to boost agricultural productivity and improve food security.
Peter Maga, a farmer’s representative said that hitherto the dry season often brought agricultural activities in the area close to the border with Tanzania to a standstill.
Maga said farmers will revive their activities in a region that severely affected their livelihoods due to prolonged drought.
CDA Managing Director (MD) Dr. Mohamed Keinan said the regional authority carried out a feasibility study for Lake Challa Water Resources Integrated Development Project in 2012 through a consultant.
The project is aimed at utilizing the Lake Challa water resource to supply water for domestic and irrigation use for the benefit of the residents of Taveta, Mwatate and Voi areas and supply water to support livestock, fisheries and forestry including wildlife at the Tsavo national park.
Lake Challa, a volcanic crater that covers 4.5 square kilometers is a transboundary freshwater lake on the Kenya-Tanzania border.
Dr. Keinan noted that due to the high cost of implementation of the Ksh.3.3 billion 1,000 hectare project at the time of study the irrigation scheme was to be implemented in three main phases.
He said so far the total project cost for the first phase is estimated at Sh.45 million mobilized and secured from the National Treasury.
“Besides the smallholder farmers the project is undertaking domestic water supply to 7,000 people and 15,000 livestock” he said adding that CDA seeks to spur socio-economic development, promotion of value addition and environmental sustainability.
CDA is undertaking several irrigation projects designed as a ‘ladder out of poverty’ for the smallholder farmers in areas endowed with sufficient water resources for irrigation-based intensification.
“The Lake Chala irrigation scheme will ensure the prosperity of the people of Taita Taveta and fulfills the vision of the president in terms of the big four development agenda” he said.
Source | KNA
