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Kenya has launched an ambitious 10-year National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), aimed at transforming the country’s irrigation landscape to enhance food security and economic growth.
The plan, unveiled during a pre-conference at KICC, Lenana Hall, was graced by Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, alongside Eng. Julius Mugun, CEO of NISIP.
The initiative seeks to mobilize government, development partners, and private sector investments to significantly expand irrigation coverage across the country.
NISIP aims to increase Kenya’s equipped irrigation area from 712,000 to 1,712,000 acres, targeting smallholder micro-irrigation, large-scale corporate partnerships, and community schemes.
Additionally, it focuses on enhancing productivity in 300,000 acres of existing public and community irrigation schemes and boosting food and fodder production in ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) regions by utilizing 140,000 acres of rangeland.
The plan identifies five key investment pathways to achieve these goals: Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID), High-Performing Public Irrigation Schemes, Enabled Corporate Agribusiness, Revitalized Irrigation in ASALs, and Maximized Community Irrigation Benefits. Under FLID, smallholder farmers will be encouraged to adopt micro-irrigation systems, with government support for technology adoption and awareness.
The High-Performing Public Irrigation Schemes strategy focuses on improving governance, sustainable water management, and crisis preparedness. Enabled Corporate Agribusiness seeks to promote commercial irrigation investments through public-private partnerships, mechanized farming, and transparent land-access policies.
Meanwhile, Revitalized Irrigation in ASALs aims to enhance water access for food and fodder production through small and medium-scale water storage, flood-spate irrigation, and underground water utilization.
Finally, Maximized Community Irrigation Benefits prioritizes strengthening community irrigation management, financing models, and flood-risk preparedness to ensure long-term sustainability.
The projected impact of NISIP is substantial, with expectations of a 200-300% increase in crop yields, a doubling of farming profits, and economic multipliers of 2.5 to 4.
The initiative is also set to improve climate resilience and livelihoods for millions of farmers across Kenya.
To achieve these ambitious targets, the plan requires KSh 598 billion (USD 4.6 billion) in funding, with 39% expected from government and donors, while 61% is anticipated from private sector investments.
Moving forward, NISIP will undergo approval, capacity building, and co-financing agreements to kickstart its implementation.
This strategic investment is expected to play a critical role in ensuring Kenya’s food security and economic sustainability. For further information, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation can be reached via www.water.go.ke
By James Nyaigoti