ENGINEERS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
9TH -11TH May 2012
By: Eng. George Odedeh



Largest and most dominant single
contributor.
Between 2006 and 2010, contributed an
average 22.5 % to GDP.
Contribution in form of:
◦
◦
◦
◦
Growing of crops & horticulture
Farming of animals
Agricultural & animal husbandry services
Forestry & logging


Contribution may be higher when value
added agricultural products and fishing are
taken into account.
Strong correlation between performance of
agriculture and GDP (MoA).
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY ACTIVITY 2006-2010
(Percent Contributions to GDP)
No Industry
2006 2007
2008 2009+
2010*
.
1
Agriculture and forestry
23.4
21.7
22.3
23.5
21.5
2
Transport and Communication
10.6
10.6
10.2
9.8
9.8
3
Manufacturing
10.3
10.4
10.8
9.9
10.0
4
Wholesale and retail trade, repairs 9.3
9.7
10.1
9.8
10.3
5
Education
6.7
6.3
5.7
5.7
6.9




Country’s population is predominantly rural
(~80%).
Opportunity for economic engagement is
predominantly through agriculture.
Best use of the resources available to them,
labour, land and water (mainly rain when it
comes).
This generates other economic activities
(Kericho, Kiambu, Kisii, Uasin Gishu,etc)


Good for unlocking economic potential of
counties.
Creates purchasing power on a wider
population base compared to other
interventions




80% of country’s land resources classified as
arid or semi-arid.
Rising population and change of use in the 17
% arable land has led to declining production.
Climate change has worsened situation
leading to declining or loss of livelihoods and
forex.
Higher poverty incidence and food insecurity.




Irrigation one of the best ways to sustain
production horizontally (more land) and
vertically (3-4 times productivity).
Supports soil and forest conservation.
Responds to national objectives of fighting
poverty, ignorance and disease in a very
effective way compared to other
interventions.
Creates mini-economies (Wanguru, Hola,
Ahero, Marigat, Bura, etc)
Gross Value of Annual Production in Irrigation Schemes
No.
Irrigation Scheme
Area (ha)
Annual Value
of Production
(Kshs)
1
Mwea
8,819
4 billion
2
Bura
3,200
2.9 billion
3
Hola
1,600
1.5 billion
4
Perkerra
800
380 million
5
Ahero
1,200
650 million
6
West Kano
890
550 million
7
Bunyala
680
450 million


Allows for steady supply of raw materials for
industry and markets (Delmonte, flower
farms, etc).
Major player in forex earnings (cut flowers
and horticultural produce).




In line with Article 186 (3) of CoK, irrigation
development is a national function for now.
Appropriate since irrigation often relies on
water passing through other counties.
Some facilities lie intake works or reservoirs
and conveyance systems may be in other
counties e.g. Lower Nzoia, Greater Bura, etc.
Irrigation is a major consumer of water (70%
of all use) thus requires national planning.




National Irrigation potential is 539,000 ha
and 1.3 million ha without and with storage
respectively.
Only 22% of the without storage & 9% of the
with storage potential already developed.
Huge potential for development exists.
NIB compiling a data base of all potential
irrigation projects in each county on basin
basis




MWI preparing new NWMP, including
irrigation.
Some counties have no potential unless
ground water sources are investigated
further.
Basin wide approach to irrigation planning
recommended by the NIB, at whatever level
irrigation development is done.
Investments in technology should depend on
opportunity cost of water.


Benefits shall accrue when economies of scale
are achieved for each investment (at project
and household level)
Irrigation schemes can be a major source of
revenue for counties (Mwea and Kirinyaga,
Bura/Hola and Tana River, Baringo and
Perkerra).





Competition for resources and order in
priority list.
Inadequate number of professionals with
required experience (scope, complexity,
exposure).
Water resource availability, access & quality.
Social and environmental aspects (land)
Beneficiary participation




Small farm sizes at household level leading to
poor economies of scale (sustainability) in
some projects.
Inapproriate level of infrastructure services
e.g. roads, power, e.t.c. otherwise high costs
and low prices of produce.
Inadequate irrigated agriculture production
capacity (farmers and extension officers)
Inadequate market support services.





Immense unutilized irrigation potential,
including green houses.
Existing high demand for agricultural
produce within the country and the region.
Adequate (idle) labour.
Refocusing on irrigation and water storage
investments internationally.
Achievement of Vision 2030 targets
(industrialisation/socio-economic growth)

Parliament passed a motion to develop at
least 2,000 acres per constituency.
THE END