This archive report was first published on 25 September 2021.
Kenya is striving to increase rice production to 1.3 million metric tonnes by 2030 to reduce imports and achieve food security. To this end, a rice transplanting machine has been introduced in Tana River County, which is expected to boost rice yields.
According to Sadik Hassan, the machine demonstration was conducted by KiliMOL in partnership with the National Irrigation Authority for farmers in the Hola and Bura Irrigation Schemes. The machine takes 45 minutes per acre to transplant seedlings from the nursery, reducing the germination time from 21 to 14 days.
Harun Kimathi, Project Manager, KiliMOL, said they are targeting small-scale farmers with the new small and compact machines to improve the mechanization of agriculture. The machine picks seedlings roots directly from the tray, reducing transplanting shock.
Currently, 1,400 acres are under rice production in Bura Irrigation Scheme, with the acting manager targeting to have 2,500 acres under rice production by the end of October. The scheme has a developed area of 12,000 acres with a potential to expand up to 25,000 acres once the Sh7.35 billion gravity irrigation project is completed.
By Sadik Hassan
