Kagwe Pushes Irrigation and Large-Scale Farming as Solution to Kenya’s Food Crisis

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called for a decisive shift towards irrigation-led, large-scale agriculture to address Kenya’s recurring droughts and rising food import bill, warning that reliance on rain-fed farming is no longer sustainable under changing climate conditions

Speaking during a tour of the Nyumba Group, where he commissioned an 800-acre earth dam with a capacity of six billion litres of water, Kagwe said Kenya must urgently embrace scientific, technology-driven and digital farming systems to boost productivity per acre

He noted that the approach is particularly critical in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), which account for more than 80 per cent of the country’s land mass

The CS highlighted the 1.8 million-acre Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project as a cornerstone of the government’s strategy, stressing that the land is strictly reserved for large-scale, mechanised and irrigated farming

“We are making it clear in public: Galana-Kulalu is strictly for large-scale farming. Subdivision makes mechanisation impossible and defeats the purpose of this project,” Kagwe said

He observed that Kenya’s heavy dependence on food imports about 92 per cent of wheat, over 80 per cent of rice and significant quantities of sugar has been worsened by frequent droughts that disrupt local production

According to Kagwe, large-scale irrigated farming offers the only viable path to stabilising food supplies, reducing imports and building long-term resilience

Under the Land Commercialization Initiative (LCI), the government is inviting serious local and international investors to participate in Galana-Kulalu, assuring them of transparent and competitive land allocation free from favouritism

Kagwe warned that land fragmentation undermines efficiency, mechanisation and returns

He added that the project is expected to stimulate broad economic linkages, driving demand for locally manufactured fertilisers, irrigation equipment, transport and logistics services, while boosting agro-processing and trade

As irrigation infrastructure expands, Kagwe said the government is keen to lower production costs, particularly for irrigation pipes, electricity and water delivery systems

He urged local manufacturers to scale up investment to meet anticipated demand, noting that Kenyan-made pipes are of high quality and competitive

Communities living around Galana-Kulalu were encouraged to view the project as an economic opportunity by investing in housing, retail, services and supply chains to support a growing agricultural workforce

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Kagwe praised investors who integrate farming operations with community development through schools, health facilities and other social initiatives

During the tour, the CS lauded the Nyumba Group model as a benchmark for mechanised, technology-driven farming in ASAL regions

The Nyumba Foundation, led by Kirtan Hasmukh Kanji, has invested over Ksh6.4 billion to develop more than 300,000 acres, already producing crops at scale

Kagwe also visited Selu, a major seed maize producer, underscoring the importance of access to high-quality seeds in strengthening productivity and food system resilience

He concluded that sustained investment in water-harvesting infrastructure, large-scale irrigation and community inclusion is key to transforming Kenya’s agriculture, cutting reliance on imports and safeguarding the country against future droughts