Kenya obtained a fresh €20 million pledge from Germany for raising smallholder irrigation and farming across seven counties in a move expected to boost agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods.The commitment was negotiated during Kenya-Germany Government-to-Government (G-to-G) Development Cooperation Negotiations held in Berlin.
Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho made a case for an increased German cooperation smallholder irrigation programmes citing sustainable water management and climate-smart agriculture as contributors towards Kenya’s food systems safety.
Negotiations, chaired by the Principal Secretary for National Treasury Dr. Chris Kiptoo and Joachim Schmitt, Head of Division of German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), explored how to build up cooperation in the areas of irrigation agriculture food security, climate resilience, youth empowerment, and agribusiness development.
The two governments have agreed that apart from the grant initially made, there would be an additional €3 million geared towards transforming food systems through sustainable agriculture interventions.
Besides the direct negotiations, Germany and the Kenyan authorities also checked the possibilities to increase climate action and agribusiness programmes targeted at young people In particular in the Lake Region Economic Bloc, while at the same time encouraged greater private, sector involvement in agricultural value chains.
According to PS Kimotho, the funds will be used not only to complete the already proposed irrigation projects but will also help to launch more projects by involving the farmers who were hesitant to participate in the first phase.
The projects have resulted in the conversion of about 1, 300 acres for high, value horticultural production and 1, 540 farmers are beneficiaries. Farmer incomes per annum are expected to increase from KSh 12. 4 million to KSh 45. 7 million, which is a very clear illustration of the economic effects of the irrigation investments.
This additional funding by Germany will help in strengthening market linkages, support investment planning, and create commercially viable irrigation projects for the benefit of farming communities.