This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On July 7, 2020, the National Irrigation Authority assumed management of the Galana Kulalu 10,000 acre model farm following the early departure of Israeli contractor Green Arava.
The Authority is now seeking approximately Ksh 600 million in financial support from the government to complete the remaining 15% of the project and hand it over to the private sector for continuous production.
Currently, the Authority is utilizing the installed irrigation infrastructure, comprising 20 centre pivots covering 3,300 acres and 1,800 acres under drip irrigation, for the production of maize and other high-value crops.
Notably, the Authority has also rehabilitated the intake after it was damaged by floods in May 2018 and installed four pumps at the intake.
For the period between March and September 2020, the targeted area for progressive cropping was 3,500 acres, with 3,000 acres under centre pivot and 500 acres under drip irrigation.
As of now, 2,650 acres have been cropped, and a demonstration farm of 10 acres has been planted, with 5 acres already harvested.
The demonstration farm features a diverse range of crops, including bananas, mangoes, cashew nuts, citrus, palm, and pineapples.
