Drip irrigation system yields more earnings for families

More than 80,000 households in the North Rift region are set to benefit from a drip irrigation programme that will boost crop and milk production.

The project being rolled out by various local and international development agencies, has enabled small-scale farmers to acquire drip-irrigation kits at subsidised costs and venture into horticultural production targeting export market.

Some of the dairy farmers are also applying the irrigation system to produce silage for their animals, especially during the dry spell when there is acute shortage of fodder.

Among the organisations involved in the programme are the Agri-Team Consultants and Self-Help Development Group.

According to Agri-Team Consultant managing director Geoffrey Otieno, farmers are helped to acquire and install the drip irrigation equipment after making some down payment and the balance is settled after they sell their first and second crop.

Locally made drip irrigation system costs of nearly Sh2,150 each and can irrigate a plot of up to one-eighth of an acre.

The system is designed for optimum water use in farming during the dry season.

“Apart from cultivation of fruits and vegetables, drip irrigation is ideal for maize production for silage to boost milk production,” says Mr Otieno.

An acre of maize grown under drip irrigation for silage, he says, can feed 23 dairy cows for four months with each producing an average of 20 litres of milk daily.

This makes it economical as compared to other sources of animal feed.

“Farmers owning land on river frontage are at advantage of adapting drip irrigation due to availability of water as opposed to those who might be forced to build a dam,” says Mr Otieno.

Drip irrigation has also been adapted by farmers in the sugar industry to increase their crop production from an average of 60 tonnes per acre under normal rain-fed farming system to 120 tonnes an acre.

Sugarcane farmers in Tana River belt have adopted this irrigation method that has enabled them to double their crop production.

“The system once fixed can remain in operation for more than five years and is less labour intensive making it ideal for small-scale farmers,” he says.

Among farmers who have benefited from the drip irrigation system is Mr Nimrod Kibet of Kipsinende Village in Uasin Gishu. The farmer grows various types of vegetables for export market through Eldoret International Airport.