Govt eyes irrigation projects using excess Lake Baringo, Bogoria water

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- The government is exploring ways to channel excess water from the rising levels of Lakes Baringo and Bogoria towards potential irrigation areas

- Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho and Defence PS Dr Patrick Mariru reviewed findings from a joint technical assessment

- The initiative could expand irrigated agriculture, support food and high-value crop production, create jobs and help communities shift from rain-fed farming

The government has stepped up plans to turn rising water levels in Lakes Baringo and Bogoria into a major irrigation opportunity for farmers in the region.

Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho on Tuesday hosted his Defence counterpart, Principal Secretary Dr Patrick Mariru, at the Ministry Headquarters for a follow-up meeting on the proposed Lake Baringo-Lake Bogoria water management and irrigation project.

The meeting followed a series of consultations, technical engagements and a joint site visit by officials from the two State Departments to assess the rising lake levels and explore ways of safely managing the excess water for productive use.

The proposed project seeks to address the water management challenge while expanding irrigation and agricultural production in Baringo and neighbouring areas.

How will the excess water be used?

Preliminary assessments indicate that excess water could potentially be evacuated from affected areas through appropriate infrastructure and conveyed to locations with potential for irrigation development.

During the joint site visit, technical teams assessed the terrain, existing water systems and possible routes for evacuating and conveying the water.

The findings are now informing discussions on the next phase of the project, particularly the feasibility of using the available water to support irrigation across potentially productive areas in Baringo and neighbouring regions.

The proposed intervention is expected to support both large-scale and community-based irrigation schemes, increasing the amount of land under irrigation and helping farmers shift from reliance on rain-fed agriculture to more reliable and climate-resilient production systems.

What happens next?

Tuesday's meeting reviewed the findings from the field assessments and focused on the steps required to move the project towards implementation.

A key priority will be mobilising resources for detailed feasibility studies, hydrological and environmental assessments, engineering designs, land and irrigation suitability assessments and the development of infrastructure needed to convey and distribute water to potential irrigation areas.

The State Department for Irrigation is leading efforts to establish the irrigation component of the project. This includes identifying potential command areas, determining irrigation water requirements, developing irrigation infrastructure and assessing crops and agricultural value chains that could be supported.

If implemented, the project could unlock significant agricultural opportunities in a region that has traditionally faced water-related challenges.

A reliable irrigation water supply could boost production of food and high-value crops, create employment, increase household incomes and strengthen the region's contribution to national food security.

The proposed collaboration between the State Department for Irrigation and the Ministry of Defence is considered critical given the scale and technical complexity of the planned water evacuation and conveyance infrastructure.

The partnership brings together expertise in irrigation development, water management, engineering, logistics and infrastructure implementation.

The government said it would continue engaging national agencies, development partners, private-sector investors and other stakeholders to mobilise the resources required to move the project from assessment to implementation.

The Lake Baringo-Lake Bogoria initiative forms part of the government's broader agenda to expand irrigation, improve water security, strengthen climate resilience and increase agricultural productivity.

As technical assessments and resource mobilisation continue, the government said it would prioritise solutions that are technically sound, environmentally sustainable and beneficial to local communities.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.