NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Twiga Foods intends to expand the irrigated acreage at the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project (GKFSP) by up to 20,000 acres.
The expansion is expected to result in an annual maize production of 2 million bags.
Initially, 10,000 acres will be developed, followed by a similar size after the construction of the Galana Dam.
Twiga Foods Co-founder and Group CEO Peter Njonjo said that the expansion is informed by the area’s productivity due to the irrigation infrastructure that has been set up.
“Unlike other parts of the country the maize crop takes 105 days here it means with irrigation you can do three crops a year including a rotational crop and when you take into consideration the high maize yield, we anticipate we can do as much as 2 million bags per year,” said Njonjo.
The construction of the Galana Dam is in line with a presidential directive.
There is also a proposal for the development of an additional 350,000 acres that has already been received and is currently being reviewed by the authority.
Twiga Foods, working closely with the National Irrigation Authority, has already established a maize crop trial on 538 acres, employing various trial treatments to ensure optimised crop growth.
The company is concurrently conducting comprehensive studies on soil conditions, irrigation systems, and crop water requirements, which will lay the foundation for the forthcoming expansion phase.
The expansion was unveiled at a tour of the expansive project, where Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said there are plans to diversify the project’s potential.
“We have bigger plans where we will do an agripark, ranching, and electricity generation.”
This initiative seeks to enhance national food security, foster job creation, and propel socio-economic development in Kenya.
GKFSP spans over 1.75 million acres, encompassing the Galana and Kulalu ranches.
The project is designed to optimise productivity through targeted investments in crop and livestock production and sustainable management of natural resources.
It is currently in its second implementation phase, with the completion rate standing at 97 percent.
The anticipated completion date for the entire project is December 31, 2023.
