Experiences with irrigation farming in Kenya: The National Irrigation Board schemes

Abstract

Examines some policy issues relating to large-scale irrigation schemes in Kenya by considering the need to intensified agricultural production given a declining land base and a rapidly growing population. Irrigation development can assist in land use intensification but the security of tenure which operates under one year operational license is a major concern to the farmers. The cost of operation and recovery of investments and operational costs are discussed and were shown to be high except in some schemes. Issues of water rights and an irrigation development co-ordinating body are mentioned.