Learning visit and workshop on farmer-led irrigation development Nakuru county
Drip irrigation system at Judy’s farm
With majority of those engaging in agricultural activities in Kenya being aged between 50 and 65 years and still predominantly practicing traditional and subsistence farming practices. The Association of Irrigation Acceleration Platform (AIAP), in collaboration with the county-level Irrigation Acceleration Platform (IAP) in Machakos, Meru, Laikipia, Nakuru and Uasin Gishu Counties. Organized a learning visit targeting youth, women and government officials with the aim to address the challenges that hamper sustainable participation of youth and women in agriculture, and in particular adoption of smart irrigation technologies.
The two day event included visits to:
- Popsy Judy farm investment. A model medium scale farm belonging to Ms. Judy Njenga where she farms cabbages onions, tomatoes and cucumber under drip irrigation in 80 acres in Maella Naivasha.
- Plantech, agribusiness park, Naivasha. From where the participants learnt the importance of efficiency water use in agribusiness and new technologies the plant uses in planting seedlings.
- Workshop at KALRO Livestock Research Institute, Naivasha. Where the farmers and irrigation stakeholders deliberated on the way forward in the bid to ensure adoption of smart water technologies and the sustainability in NIAP and the IAPs after the closer of the SWA project in December 2019.
The learning visit participants
The event brought together representatives from youth and women groups involved in irrigation from the five IAP counties, officials from the Ministry of water, sanitation and irrigation and representatives from other governmental institutions, private sector and non governmental organizations.
The participants thanked SNV for taking initiative to promote smart irrigation in Kenya and expressed their willingness to ensure NIAP and the IAPs are functional after the their SWA project ends.
