Uasin Gishu County has rolled out an ambitious farm ponds initiative targeting the construction of 23,000 on-farm water pans across 23 rural wards in a bid to boost irrigation, enhance climate resilience, and transition farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
The programme is being implemented under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) in partnership with the Eldoret-Iten Water Fund (EIWF). It is funded by the World Bank and the Government of Kenya and forms part of a broader national initiative covering 33 counties.
The Farm Ponds Initiative involves the construction of small, demand-driven water pans ranging between 100 and 1,250 cubic metres, with a maximum capacity of up to 1,500 cubic metres. The ponds are designed to promote water harvesting and expand the area under irrigation, reducing reliance on erratic rainfall and enabling year-round production.
Speaking during a training session for supervisory teams comprising Sub-County Agricultural Officers (SCAOs) and engineers, NAVCDP Monitoring and Evaluation In-Charge for Uasin Gishu, Mark Sanka, said the project’s overarching goal is to put more land under irrigation while ensuring sustainability.
“The main aim is to reduce overdependence on rain-fed agriculture by providing reliable water sources for smallholder farmers. This will allow farmers to produce throughout the year and increase overall agricultural productivity,” said Sanka.
He noted that Uasin Gishu’s target is 23,000 ponds distributed across 23 rural wards, translating to 1,000 ponds per ward. The programme excludes seven urban wards. According to Sanka, the initiative is anchored on the Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) model, which empowers farmers to take charge of planning, implementing, and managing their own irrigation systems.
“We are starting with 500 farmers in Phase One and 800 farmers in Phase Two under a cost-sharing arrangement. Farmers will contribute toward excavation and liners, while NAVCDP and the Eldoret-Iten Water Fund will provide subsidies. This phased approach will progressively help us achieve the overall target,” he explained.
County Agriculture Infrastructure Officer (CAIO) Janeth Kirui underscored the importance of FLID in intensifying existing rain-fed agriculture and enabling production on land that would otherwise be unproductive due to inadequate rainfall.
She said irrigation would enhance predictable production cycles, enabling farmers to enter into contract farming arrangements with buyers, improve quality standards, and respond effectively to climate change challenges.
“FLID is characterized by farmer initiative and control. Farmers lead in planning, implementation, and management of irrigation systems. These small-scale systems can be implemented individually or through water user groups,” said Kirui.
She added that the model promotes the use of locally available materials, labour, and water resources such as rivers, wells, and ponds, making it cost-effective and adaptable to local conditions.
Kirui revealed that the first phase of the project will see the construction of 500 ponds across the 23 wards between February and May 2026, with each ward implementing approximately 22 ponds during this period.
By the project’s completion on June 30, 2028, the initiative aims to provide reliable water access to 5,750 farming households, irrigate 2,300 acres of land, increase local agricultural production by 50 percent, and achieve full market participation among Uasin Gishu farmers.
To ensure smooth implementation, trained supervisory teams will cascade knowledge to ward-level officers, who will in turn mobilize and register interested farmers through Community Driven Development Committees (CDDCs).
Under the cost-sharing framework, farmers will pay 20 percent of the excavation cost, amounting to Sh3,000, while NAVCDP will cover 80 percent, equivalent to Sh12,000, through a pay bill arrangement to the CDDC account.
For pond liners, farmers will contribute 20 percent (Sh6,000), while EIWF will meet the remaining 80 percent (Sh24,000). Beneficiary farmers will also be required to fence their ponds individually to enhance safety and durability.
Ward-level oversight committees comprising members of CDDCs and Sustainable Land Management Committees (SLMCs) will be established to provide governance, strategic direction, and accountability in resource management.
Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Agribusiness, Livestock and Fisheries, Sam Kottut, said the initiative is expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity while creating employment opportunities, particularly for youth.
“This initiative will not only expand irrigation coverage but also create jobs for our youth through pond construction and increased agricultural activities. I urge supervisory teams to actively reach out to farmers to ensure we achieve our pilot phase targets. Farmers should embrace irrigation and consider growing high-value crops to maximize their incomes,” said Kottut.
County officials expressed optimism that the programme will strengthen food security, enhance climate resilience, and position Uasin Gishu as a leading hub for irrigated agriculture.
They noted that expanding irrigation infrastructure is key to cushioning farmers against the adverse effects of climate change, stabilizing farm incomes, and ensuring consistent supply of produce to local and regional markets.
by Ekuwam Sylvester and Fredrick Maritim
