The 175 million Kiramanthi Irrigation scheme in Tharaka Nithi County, will soon be handed over to its 270 beneficiary farmers, after the mandatory training of the farmers on operation and maintenance of the Irrigation system and the final inspection of works that is currently being carried out.
Irrigation Water Management, harvesting and storage, Director, Daniel Odero, while officially opening the five-day training, assured that the Government is committed to raising farmers’ incomes and enhancing food security for the nation through irrigation.
Director Odero led a team of engineers and technical experts on irrigation from the State Department for Irrigation, who will undertake a five-days training for the farmers and inspection of the works.
The team will join hands with the Consultant on Smallholder Irrigation project, Eng. Evans Lusigi, to conduct the training.
The 272 acres (110 Ha) Irrigation Scheme started in 2023 and is currently on a one year defect liability period.
The project seeks to increase farmers’ incomes and enhance food security for the communities through growing of high value crops all year round.
The Scheme, which is part of the Smallholder Irrigation Programme in Mount Kenya Region (SIPMK), is jointly funded by the Government of Kenya, Germany Development Bank(Kfw), and the Farmers, who contributed 50 percent through a loan from Equity Group Foundation.
The Smallholder Irrigation Programme an illustration of the impact of collaborative efforts between the Government, Development partner, private sector to empower smallholder farmers and improve agricultural productivity.
The mandatory training on operation and maintenance (O&M) for the farmers, done block by block, kicked-off with the training of Magundu Block farmers.
The farmers, who included their Management Committee officials led by their block Chairlady, Brenda Kathure, were trained on key issues that will enhance the performance of their scheme.
They will be taken through the operations and maintenance of the Scheme, from the intake, sedimentation basin, conveyance lines and water distribution to the farms.
The farmers voiced their concerns over the theft of components, including valves among other items, which they said are costing them a lot of money due to repeated replacements.
Eng. Evans Luci, the Resident Engineer, Smallholder Irrigation Programme, and Bonventure Achonga, Deputy Director, Irrigation Water Management, responded to the farmers’ concerns and questions during the event.
The training also served as a mentorship and coaching opportunity for a team of new engineers and Intern engineers at the State Department for Irrigation on practical field experience on operations of irrigation schemes.
The team also held a brief meeting with the Irrigation Water Users Association (IWUA) Committee of the Kiramanthi Irrigation Scheme, led by their Chair, Julius Juma Njagi, before the training of Magundu Block farmers commenced.
Director Odero led the team in inspecting Kibunga Water Intake on Kathitha River. Similar training activities and inspection of works will continue throughout the week for Rwakirungu, Muramba wa Uturi, Lugonde, Kangatha and Gonya Blocks
Kiramanthi (Kirimanti) Irrigation Scheme is a vital irrigation project designed to boost smallholder farming and food security and aims to empower smallholder farmers to move away from rain-dependent agriculture to stabilized, year-round production.
It is one the Schemes benefitting from the Smallholder Irrigation Programme in Mount Kenya Region Phase IV, which is coming to an end in December this year.
By Kibet Cheptumo and Peninah Kihika (PCO)
