Raila launches Sh 20 billion irrigation project in Todonyang

  SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTEMAILRATING

By DAVID LOMURIA dlomuria@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Tuesday, August 21  2012 at  21:56

IN SUMMARY

• Prime Minister Raila Odinga has launched a Todonyang Irrigation Scheme in Turkana County, a project designed to promote irrigated agriculture integrated with livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and ecotourism in the region
• The success of the Kshs 20 billion project covering 10, 000 hectares of Turkana dry land is expected to improve food security and nutrition of the local population
• The Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, His Excellency Gil Haskel and other officials from the Embassy accompanied the Prime Minister to witness the progress of the initiative

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has launched a Todonyang Irrigation Scheme in Turkana County, a project designed to promote irrigated agriculture integrated with livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and ecotourism in the region.

Todonyang irrigation scheme is the first phase of what will be a massive investment in the development Turkana.

“I take very personal interest in this project. It is a matter of grave concern to me that 50 years after independence, a huge half of our country should be struggling to put food on the table while another half struggles to find out what to do with excess food,” said Raila Odinga.

Raila said pilot initiative was part of the efforts to defining the struggles of the lives of people of Turkana adding that the government looks forward to replicating the project nationwide.

According to the Premier, the Todonyang project is aimed at empowering the communities in Turkana to sow and harvest plentiful crops, and ensuring that the food they produce reaches people most in need.

The success of the Kshs 20 billion project covering 10, 000 hectares of Turkana dry land is expected to improve food security and nutrition of the local population.

“I would like to take this earliest opportunity to urge the local community to participate actively in order to reap maximum benefits accrued from it,” said the Prime Minister adding that the project will also generate employment and increase income for the betterment of livelihoods.

Raila Odinga said the Todonyang project a product of a visit he made to Israel.

The Premier said the government is keen to embark on projects that will ensure Kenya works for all Kenyans.

Share This Story

  

“In November 2011, during my official visit to the State of Israel, I entered into an agreement with Israeli Minister for Industry, Trade and Labour to develop Kenya’s dry land into national food baskets,” said the Prime Minister.

Under the agreement, the Israeli government will provide technical support to the development of the Todonyang irrigation project and the dry land agriculture ‘Furrows in the Desert Project’ at Lobur.

“I am extremely grateful to the government of the State of Israel for taking up my appeal for support for the Turkana community on this project,” said Raila Odinga.

The Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, His Excellency Gil Haskel and other officials from the Embassy accompanied the Prime Minister to witness the progress of the initiative.

The Prime Minister reiterated on the cases of insecurity in the region saying the government is keen to improve security in Turkana by beefing up security in Todonyang.

The Prime Minister also said Kenya and Ethiopia was working together to establishing a long lasting peace in the border.

“A joint Kenya – Ethiopia team has been constituted to re-establish the border beacons and carry out peace building initiatives,” said Raila Odinga.

The area MPs and residents applauded government and that of Israel for addressing food insecurity in the region.