The Utilization of a Case Study of Kenya’s Irrigation Potential Kibirigwi Irrigation Scheme

Abstract

This study is mainly concerned with evaluating a Small Scale Irrigation Scheme, Kibirigwi,1ocated in Kirinyaga district,, one of Kenya's high agricultural potential areas., The main objective of the study., is to add to the existing knowledge on Small Scale Irrigation Schemes with a more specific aim of identifying the factors that facilitate or inhibit the expansion of such schemes in Kenya. Small Scale Irrigation Schemes will continue to play an increasingly important role in Kenya's dominantly agricultural economy. Kibirigwi Irrigation Scheme was selected for this Study mainly because it is a pioneer Small Scale Irrigation Scheme situated in an area generally considered to have adequate rainfall. And, unlike most other schemes where farmers are either settled or resettled on the Scheme, Kibirigwi Scheme was set within an existing land tenure system where farmers have Freehold Titles over their land. This poses interesting questions about the benefit, performance® and progress within such a scheme. In order to test some hypotheses about the farmers' performance,, a sample of farmers randomly chosen were interviewed- On the basis of the interview and scheme records limear program models were ran to determine the best patterns of production and binding constraints. In addition, cross-tabulations on age, sex and education were made to determine their significance on farmers performance. Results indicate that subsistence production is a binding constraint to commercial agriculture, even though the impact; varies from farmer to farmer. Labor in certain periods of the year, irrigated land, and credit to some farmers are other binding constraints. Determination of planting period, allocation of credit and regulating the flow of inputs to and produce from the scheme were identified as other factors inhibiting expanded commercial production. There was a strong relationship between the farmers' sex and performance, where male farmers were found to perform better than female farmers. Generally those farmers between the age of 30 and 45 year's of age and have attended school up to standard 4 performed best m terms of earnings.On the basis of the results of this Study, it is concluded that the scheme is contributing positively towards improving the welfare of the people concerned even though it is still faced with managerial and technical problems. It is, therefore, recommended that the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development should continue to assist the scheme with finance and technical skills. Scientific Research on the Scheme should also be increased.