National Irrigation Authority has received Sh3 billion from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) to rehabilitate the collapsed Ahero Irrigation Schemes in Nyando rice belt, Kisumu County.

The funds come at time when the County government of Kisumu has been exploring the options of setting up a rice milling plant in the area. Yesterday, the JICA, team led by Hayashi Kenji paid a courtesy call to Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o in his office, where they addressed the schemes improvement strategy.

“We want to help you revive the dilapidated irrigation infrastructure with our technical support infused to ensure that we give farmers the right skills to scale up rice production” he said. Nyong’o said Ahero and West Kano irrigation schemes have a lot of potential in rice production, but over the years, farmers efforts, been hampered by inadequate resources.

“With proper infrastructure in place the NIA plans to expand land under irrigation in the area to boost rice production within the next one to two years,” said Kenji.

“At the moment, plans are for renovation works and mechanisation of schemes that will ensure there is improved rice production,” he said. Rice being one of the staple foods in Nyanza, has been in demand in the local markets.

Speaking earlier this month, Western schemes manager Ken Ouma said a team from JICA were on site, carrying out a feasibility study and technical survey before the project begins. He said the dilapidated Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kisumu will be revamped and farmers given technical support to increase rice production.