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The government is planning to construct 300 dams to aid in irrigation as part of its intervention to end the cycle of hunger and dependency on rain-fed agriculture.

President William Ruto, during his maiden speech during Mashujaa Day celebrations yesterday, also announced that plans were underway to irrigate three million acres already identified as irrigable land.

Head of State further stated that in the next three years, the government will double land under irrigation to 1.4 million acres out of which 200,000 will be under rice irrigation in Bunyala, Tana Delta, Rohole in Garissa, Mwea and Ahero while 500,000 acres will be under other food crops.

“To address this challenge, we are working on innovative investment mechanisms through public-private partnerships to construct at least 100 dams,” he said. He added:

“We have to take very bold steps to end the perpetual cycle of hunger and dependency on rain-fed agriculture. We must eradicate hunger in the shortest time possible.”

Ruto emphasised that irrigation is the only solution to guaranteeing food security in the country. President noted that it was unfortunate that despite the government in 2017, resolving to build 57 dams to harness water for irrigation and domestic use, most of the said projects did not even start as only a few are complete while the rest are ongoing due to the huge capital outlay required for dam construction.

Ruto who termed the ongoing drought situation as the worst in the horn of Africa region also announced plans to support farmers’ access to quality inputs such as seeds, fertilizer and pesticides as well as ensure they also have access to extension services in order to improve farming skills.

“On seeds, the government will work with local research institutions and public and private sectors to scale up seed multiplication for all crops,” he said.

On dairy farmers who struggle with the high cost of feed and challenges of storage, preservation of milk and access to markets, Ruto said they have taken immediate steps to reinstate stalled milk coolers’ programme.