CDA seeks strategic partnerships to revitalize coastal irrigation projects

HUSSEIN ABDULLAHI-KNA 

The Coast Development Authority (CDA) is actively seeking strategic partnerships to revitalize and expand its key initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving water access, and enhancing community resilience.

CDA is currently implementing water management and irrigation projects across Tana River, TaitaTaveta, Kilifi, Kwale, and Lamu Counties.

These efforts are designed to ensure stable, increased food production to meet the region’s growing demand.

A key focus of CDA’s work is the Boji Smallholder Irrigation Project in Tana River County, which currently benefits over 500 farmers across more than 200 acres of fertile farmland.

This initiative plays a vital role in improving food security and providing stable incomes for local communities.

However, the project faces significant challenges due to the altered course of the Tana River, which has disrupted water access for irrigation.

In light of this, CDA Acting Managing Director Pamela Ngure has emphasized the critical need for strategic partnerships to overcome these hurdles.

Ms. Ngure reaffirmed CDA’s commitment to expanding irrigation and water development while reactivating dormant schemes as part of the authority’s broader strategy to enhance food security across the coastal region.

“While the Boji project is well-positioned due to the region’s favorable climatic conditions and fertile soil, the shifting of the river course has disrupted water supply for irrigation,” Ngure noted.

She said irrigation schemes have huge potential for food security, wealth creation, poverty reduction and job creation in the region.

“We are seeking collaboration with various stakeholders and partners to restore and expand the project, ensuring it can continue to deliver value to the farmers and communities it serves,” she said.

The Boji Irrigation Project has long been a pillar of agricultural development in Tana River County, providing local farmers with the opportunity to cultivate crops throughout the year, regardless of the seasonal fluctuations in rainfall. 

The project supports the local economy by increasing food production and providing a reliable source of income for hundreds of smallholder farmers.

However, the changing river course has led to challenges in securing a consistent and reliable water supply, threatening the project’s long-term viability.

Ngure says CDA, with its partners, is focused on finding sustainable solutions to address the water accessibility issues, aiming to enhance the efficiency and scale of the irrigation system.

A farmer at Kosokoni irrigation scheme. Local farmers contend the irrigation project supported by CDA has helped local farmers continue with their farming activi- ties all year round. 

She stated that revitalizing the Boji Irrigation Project is crucial not only for improving agricultural outputs but also for securing food sources and supporting the socio-economic wellbeing of the local population.

In addition to the Boji project, CDA is spearheading several other water and agriculture-focused initiatives in Tana River that aim to address broader regional challenges such as drought, water scarcity, and food insecurity.

These efforts are vital to the longterm development of the region. Ngure pointed out that one such initiative is the Wayuboru Water Pan, a critical resource for both people and livestock. Located in Tana River County, the water pan serves 3,000 residents and provides water for over 8,000 cattle and 10,000 sheep and goats.

It has become a vital lifeline during dry periods, offering much-needed water to the community, ensuring both drought resilience and continuity in education, as children no longer need to spend long hours in search of water.

She said the water pan is an example of how strategic water resources can enhance both community health and educational outcomes.

The CDA’s commitment to addressing the needs of communities in Tana River was highlighted during a recent visit by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Regional Development led by the chairperson and MP for Sigor Peter Lochakapong.

The committee inspected the Boji Smallholder Irrigation Project, the Wayuboru Water Pan, and other CDA-led initiatives in the region MP Lochakapong said the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the progress of these two vital projects, both of which hold immense socio-economic potential for the region, providing essential water resources and supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of families through agricultural activities.