Farmers under the Bura Irrigation and Settlement Scheme have received a major boost after the government announced a reduction in irrigation water fees from KSh 7,500 to KSh 5,000.
The announcement was made during a public engagement forum led by Principal Secretary in the State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to easing the cost burden on farmers while enhancing the scheme’s sustainability.
“This scheme is very key to the country because it is one of the major rice production hubs. Before it was connected to electricity, it irrigated approximately 5,000 acres and produced around 17,000 tonnes per year in a single season. Out of this, 10,000 tonnes came from rice and 5,000 tonnes from other crops like maize,” said Kimotho.
The forum, held in line with a presidential directive on public participation, brought together leaders from both national and county governments, farmers, and private investors.
The discussions focused on land allocation, irrigation sustainability, and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) fees.
Kimotho assured farmers that there will be no additional O&M charges, allowing them to continue farming without fear of extra costs.
He also highlighted the scheme’s potential, noting that 12,000 acres are currently covered by irrigation infrastructure, with 6,000 acres under active cultivation.
An additional 4,000 acres have been prepared for allocation through green cards.
On investor participation, the PS stressed transparency:
“All investors seeking to venture into the scheme will undergo a transparent and inclusive process. They will also be required to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and support capacity building for farmers,” he said.
Local leaders, including Hon. Yakub Kuno, MP for the area, urged farmers to embrace development and ignore misinformation that has hampered progress.
They praised the government and the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) for prioritizing farmers in the modernization of irrigation systems.
Farmers, however, raised concerns about the urgent need for machinery to maintain irrigation canals and improve overall scheme operations.
The forum also saw the participation of Eng. Gilbert Maluki, Chairman of NIA, and Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, CEO of NIA, who assured that the scheme’s operations would remain inclusive, transparent, and anchored on unity and cooperation.
Speaking on behalf of farmers, Abdi Madhobe, Chairman of Bura Farmers, welcomed the move to attract private investment:
“We take this opportunity to welcome investors because as residents, we cannot achieve everything on our own. We are optimistic that we will learn more and increase our capacity as farmers,” he said.
The Bura Irrigation and Settlement Scheme plays a critical role in boosting food security in Kenya, particularly in rice production.
The government’s decision to lower irrigation fees and involve local stakeholders in decision-making is expected to increase agricultural productivity and strengthen farmer resilience.