PlantVillage Champions for Sustainable Irrigation to Mitigate Climate Change and Increase Food
Written by Emmy Neema
Kenya has an irrigation potential of about 1,350,000 acres according to the National Irrigation Authority. Out of these, only about 500,000 acres of irrigation have been developed. With improved water harvesting and water storage facilities, the current irrigation potential could increase to about 1.9M acres.
The population relying on agriculture for their livelihoods is about 75%. Irrigation is crucial to Kenya's agriculture sector, as it provides a reliable water supply for crops throughout the year, even in Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASAL) areas. However, unsustainable irrigation practices have led to the depletion of water resources, soil degradation, and reduced agricultural productivity.
To ensure smallholder farmers in ASAL areas practice sustainable irrigation, PlantVillage has championed various irrigation measures to ensure food security and enhance agroforestry practices. The organization also aims to transform tens of thousands of hectares from bone-dry sand to vegetable-sprouting soil.