Mr. Juan Garrigues, a Spanish investor, paid Mr. Ephantus Kimotho, the principal secretary of state for irrigation, a courtesy visit on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Mr. Garrigues stated that the Spanish government places a priority on creating projects that will support the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) in terms of socioeconomic development.
The Rwabura Irrigation Development Project which is almost complete, is currently funded by the Spanish government.
PS Kimotho drew attention to shortages of rice and maize, two important value chains that the BETA Government plan prioritises in order to ensure food security in Kenya.
Together with his guest, he talked about potential areas for collaboration, including capacity building, green energy, other technologies like solarisation, and farmers switching from using pumps to gravity-based irrigation systems.
Other topics included investing in irrigation infrastructure by renovating and expanding existing schemes.
PS Kimotho stated that the Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme in Nyatike, Migori County, sits on enormous opportunities that, if sustainably utilised, will bridge the supply gap in the Country, improving livelihoods and incomes of the inhabitants of the area due to readily available water, suitable land and topography, soils, and favourable climatic conditions. This is to be able to bridge the maize and rice deficit in Kenya.
Mr. Garrigues reaffirmed his desire for more cooperation, saying that with the knowledge gained from the Rwabura Irrigation Development Project, they could work together on initiatives that would make use of Spanish technology, effective water management, and green energy.
The PS echoed the importance of further deepening the relationship with Spanish Government given that Kenya requires expertise in bridging the Rice deficit to meet food security.
