Despite the great potential for irrigation farming, the Coast region scores very low in terms adoption of irrigation farming.
The Authority conducted a feasibility study in 2007 to find out why there is low adoption of irrigation farming in the region. In the study a number of issues were identified as hindering the adoption of irrigated Agriculture. The analysis of the study identified core issues that are seen as hindrance to the adoption of irrigation farming in the region.
- Weak scheme committees and Lack of Governance
- Lack of skills and production knowledge among members
- Lack of group cohesiveness
- Shortage of capital/costly farm inputs
- Conflicts/wrangles among clans due to un defined landownership
- Poor marketing and market linkages
- Bad roads during rain season leading to crop loses
- Poor/ and in some cases non-availability of sustainability mechanisms
- Lack of repair and maintenance of facilities and irrigation infrastructure
- Inconsistency on the part of donors
- Intermittent funding by the Government
- Not many a successful irrigation scheme to serve as a model
The project’s objectives were:
- Increasing the participation of the farmers through awareness creation, sensitization and mobilization,
- Strengthening the scheme committee through training on roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders,
- Improving the irrigation infrastructure through provision of a water pump, engine and repairs of canals,
- Training of farmers on appropriate irrigation methods to include surface (basin, furrows and or pressurized irrigation systems) and crop production,
- Provide market linkages for easy marketing of the agricultural produce, and
- Provide training on micro-credit as means to a self-sustaining scheme
Chakama irrigation scheme is located 75 kms to the west of Malindi town. It is situated 20 km from the Malindi –Tsavo Road at Kitsanga, just past Timboni Feeder Primary School within Chakama location, Makongeni sub-location, Malindi division of Malindi Constituency, in Kilifi County.
Achievements
Using this model Coast Development Authority revived Chakama Irrigation Scheme, 150 acres in Malindi district and 350 acres of the 1,000 acres of Vanga Irrigation scheme. CDA is set to upscale by 1,000 in Chakama Irrigation scheme