Construction works on Kachoda drip irrigation scheme in Turkana North Sub-County have resumed following a consultative meeting between community members, contractor and County Government officials led by Agriculture County Executive Philip Aemun.
Mr. Aemun explained that the project had stopped due to competing needs on the usage of water from a nearby borehole that was constructed by the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar for use by residents and their livestock. He further called for regular engagement between stakeholders to avoid future disagreement that he warned would slow down completion of the food security project in Lapur ward.
โThe stalling of the farm was caused by misunderstandings of water usage from the borehole but we are assuring that the engagement with the community and area leadership have paved the way for resumption of the work. There is a need by residents to embrace livelihoods diversification strategies that include agricultural farming as well as bee keeping and fishing value chains to provide an alternative source of livelihoods,โ said Mr. Aemun.
Embracing modern agricultural technologies
Works at the 12.5 acres farm include upgrading of the Duba Borehole to a solar pumping. This will support the Kachoda drip irrigation and water trough for livestock as well as community water point access outlet and reduce the increased demand as a result of breakdown of other boreholes. The project is being implemented by the County Government.
Aemun also applauded the County Government move of embracing modern agricultural technologies including flood-based farming and drip irrigation to cope with the changing climatic condition with an aim of putting more land under farming to increase crop production.
