Nakuru Irrigation Acceleration Platform (NIAP) Water harvesting and storage for use in irrigation provides great opportunities for growth and development in the agriculture sector of Kenya. With only 3m3 water use/capita/year, Kenya has one of the lowest surface water storage rates in the world for irrigated agriculture and
livestock use (ICRAF 2012). By 2013, only 12% (161,840 ha) of the irrigation potential had been developed (Water Master Plan, 2012).
To realize this huge potential, more investment in Smart Water Solutions (SWS) for agriculture is needed by all agricultural actors, i.e., farmers, the state, and private sector (e.g., SWS inputs & technology providers, market of takers and financial service providers).
The Nakuru Irrigation Acceleration Platform (NIAP) hosted at Egerton University and funded by SNV - Kenya (The Netherlands Development Organization) under the Smart Water for Agriculture (SWA) project, was initiated in January 2017 to create a forum (platform) that brings together interested irrigated agricultural value chain (IAVC) actors in Nakuru County. SWA program supports four other County Irrigation Acceleration platforms in, Laikipia, Machakos, Meru and Uasi niGishu Counties.
•Nakuru County Government
•Smart Water Solution (SWS) technology providers
•Financial Service providers (Banks, SACCOS’ and Insurance organizations)
•Commodity Market of-takers
•Small to Mediumagri-Enterprise (SME)farmers (1/4 to 12 acres)
•Egerton University - The Nakuru IAP host (i.e., the neutral knowledge institute)
Nakuru IAP members are committed to continue beyond the end of the project cycle in June 2019. We are aware that joint sustainable interaction between farmers and the public-private irrigation service providers will be possible, only when each party’s contribution towards their participation, will be met and driven by evident mutual benefits. Therefore we will continue to participate and support meetings that discuss how to bridge the food deficit currently facing our nation. Egerton University is positioning its outreach programs so as to increase experiential learning opportunities for both students and staff amongst irrigated value chain actors.
With support from SNV-Kenya,it will set up a practical SWS demonstration centre to showcase existing irrigated agriculture technologies for equitable generation of on-farm income. You are welcome to be part of this journey.
The CaWSA- Centre showcases various water conservation, storage, abstraction and distribution systems and soil and moisture conservation technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPS).
Prof. Anthony M. Kibe,
CaWSA – Centre Coordinator
Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton
University, Njoro, Kenya.
Email: akibe@egerton.ac.ke,
+254721402957