Farmers allocated 50 acres of land to boost food security
PETER GITONGA-KNA
Over 100 farmers from Lokipetot and Naurenpuu villages in Turkana Central have been allocated 53 acres of land in a targeted initiative aimed at boosting food self-sufficiency in the region.
The farmers expressed excitement after each beneficiary was allocated half an acre of land.
They said they were ready to begin farming, taking advantage of the current rainy season.
“There is a need to utilize farm mechanization for farmers to start farming and tap water flowing in River Turkwel,” Charles Namus, Lokipetot Irrigation Management Committee Chairperson said.
Rael Amase, one of the beneficiaries, appealed to county officials to support the farmers with seeds and farm tools to enable planting after clearing bushes and managing Prosopis.
She noted that most of the beneficiaries are femaleheaded households.
Committee member Isaya Emanikor praised the county government’s initiative, describing it as sustainable and critical in addressing household food insecurity.
He urged the government and KFW to consider increasing the land under crop production to 100 acres from 53, to accommodate more farmers, saying there is enough land for expansion.
Addressing the farmers, Chief Officer for Agriculture and Land Reclamation, David Maraka said the project aims to make farming a complement to pastoralism.
“I find no reason why we are food insecure yet we have water flowing in Rivers Turkwel, Kerio and backflow in Lake Turkana,” Maraka said.
He added that he expects bumper harvest in the next three months and farmers. Maraka further said, “Phase II hinges on the success of the current one, challenging the farmers to be proactive to avoid relying on relief food.
Michael Ekwanga, the County Project Coordinator for Drought Resilience Program on Northern Kenya DRNPK thanked farmers for agreeing to start the project despite months of delay after the site contractor finished work.
“This project is a major step towards food security, working with stakeholders will drive our intentions into reality,” Ekwanga remarked.
He further noted that Lokipetot will add to other irrigation schemes, tapping potential to increase crop production and feed future generations.
Supporting the project Director of Irrigation and Land Reclamation Richard Lokoyan deployed two irrigation engineers.
He also pledged to solve challenges that come with canals through water scheduling during the project phase.
His counterpart, Aaron Nanok, the Director of Agriculture, assured farmers of seeds and farm mechanization when planting is ready.
The Agriculture Director deployed two agronomists and Officers led by Janet Akipetot, Turkana Central Sub-county Agricultural Officer, to support extension services for the farmers.
Kibet Chepkwony, the Technical Consultant in DRPNK, said the need for expansion of the current land into 100 acres depends on the utilization of the current land.
The consultant clarified the 12-month defects liability covers defects arising from farm operationalization, once handed over to farmers.
He advised them to maximize the window period for full farm benefit.
Chepkwony added there is a trained project team on operations and maintenance.