Migori County Governor Zachary Obado has broken grounds to kick off construction of Lower Kuja Block 21 Irrigation Scheme.
The Lower Kuja Irrigation Development Project is located in Nyatike Sub-County, Migori close to the shores of L. Victoria within the Lower Kuja River Basin. The project dates back to the 1980’s when various studies were planned and organized by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), who identified the potential for irrigation within the area along with supply of water from the Kuja and Migori rivers
Block 21 at Kuja Irrigation Scheme has been identified for production of Sweet potato vines as a strategy to boost sweet potatoes farming in Migori. The Scheme has been occasioned by the construction of sweet potatoes processing plant at Getonganya Kuria West.
Boost production
The scheme is expected to enhance the production of high-quality potatoes vines, hence boost production to feed the processing plant. The Scheme estimated to cost close to Sh 100million has been sponsored by the National Irrigation Board, World Bank, and the County Government of Migori.
The governor lamented on importation of cheap rice which is frustrating the efforts of rice farmers towards attaining profitable sales. He also noted that cartels are interfering with the prices of rice at the scheme and tasked national policymakers to push for laws which shield farmers from frustrations related to the importation of cheap agricultural goods and products, which can be produced locally.
“It is sad that farmers do not have control over fertilizer prices, which makes the farmers suffer huge losses because they are sold expensively compared to the final output of the goods,” said Governor Obado.
