Kisumu farmers to reap better rice yields as pumps installed

Rice production in Kisumu is set to rise significantly following the government’s procurement of two new water pumps for Ahero and West Kano irrigation schemes.

Kennedy Ouma, the Western Kenya Schemes manager, said the new pumps, each with a capacity of 1,100 litres per second, will increase the schemes’ production.

One pump will be installed at the intake of the Ahero irrigation scheme, while the other will be placed at the outlet station of West Kano irrigation scheme.

The pumps have been acquired through the National Irrigation Authority and are expected to ensure a consistent water supply to farmers, significantly improving crop yields.

“For years, farmers at Ahero have struggled with water shortages due to the inefficiency of the existing pumps,” Ouma said. “The new pumps will resolve these issues and ensure more consistent irrigation.”

With the enhanced water supply, farmers in both schemes will now be able to cultivate rice in two seasons per year.

Ouma anticipates that in one season, the farmers will produce up to 7,000 tonnes of paddy, and in two seasons, 14,000 tonnes, generating about Sh800 million.

Ouma noted that in West Kano, significant challenges such as waterlogging, especially in the lower fields, which had kept half of the scheme out of production for more than five years.

“The new pumps will help address this problem by efficiently draining stagnant water back into the lake, allowing for the full utilisation of the scheme’s 2,300 acres,” Ouma said.

“With the new system in place, West Kano is expected to generate more than Sh 700 million for the local economy this year alone. In total, both schemes are projected to inject about Sh 1.6 billion into the country’s economy through rice production.”

The installation of the pumps will be completed within a month, enabling farmers to double-crop this year.