The Coast Development Authority (CDA) is actively seeking partnerships to enhance and expand key initiatives focused on boosting agricultural productivity, improving water access, and strengthening community resilience.
CDA is rolling out water management and irrigation projects across counties like Tana River, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Kwale, and Lamu to ensure stable food production and food security for local populations.
A key project is the Boji Smallholder Irrigation Project in Tana River County, benefiting over 500 farmers who cultivate more than 200 acres of fertile land. This project is vital for improving food security and providing stable incomes for the community.
However, the project is facing difficulties due to the shifting course of the Tana River, which has disrupted irrigation efforts. Pamela Ngure, the Acting Managing Director of CDA, highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships to overcome these challenges.
Ngure reaffirmed CDA’s commitment to expanding irrigation systems, revitalizing outdated schemes, and boosting food security in the coastal region. She noted that while Boji is well-positioned due to favorable climate and fertile soil, the river’s course change has hindered water supply for irrigation.
CDA views irrigation schemes as key drivers for improving food security, reducing poverty, and creating employment in the region. Ngure emphasized the need for collaboration with various stakeholders to restore and expand such projects, ensuring long-term benefits for farmers and the community.
The Boji project has been a cornerstone of agricultural development in Tana River, allowing farmers to grow crops year-round despite seasonal rainfall variations. The changing river course, however, poses a threat to the sustainability of this project by affecting water supply.
Ngure emphasized that CDA and its partners are working on finding sustainable solutions to water access issues, aiming to enhance irrigation efficiency and extend its reach.
Alongside the Boji project, CDA is leading other water and agriculture initiatives to address regional challenges such as drought, water scarcity, and food insecurity, which are crucial for the region’s long-term development.
One such initiative is the Wayuboru Water Pan in Tana River, which serves 3,000 residents and supports 8,000 cattle and 10,000 goats and sheep. The water pan is especially important during dry spells, ensuring water access for both the community and livestock, and reducing the time children spend fetching water, thus supporting educational continuity.
CDA’s efforts were recently highlighted during a visit by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Regional Development, which inspected the Boji Irrigation Project and Wayuboru Water Pan, recognizing the projects’ potential to improve livelihoods and community resilience to climate change.
The delegation acknowledged the importance of ongoing support and partnerships to scale up these initiatives, emphasizing the impact of climate change on water resources and food security.
CDA’s community-based approach, which ensures local involvement and ownership of projects, is seen as crucial for their sustainability and success. Ngure emphasized the need for continued collaboration with both public and private stakeholders to further improve socio-economic development in the region.
CDA has long been a key player in enhancing livelihoods and environmental resilience in the coastal region, particularly through water management and agricultural innovation. This has led to improvements in food security, water access, and poverty reduction, while empowering communities for the long term.
Ngure emphasized that CDA’s projects aim to meet the specific needs of local communities, focusing on sustainable agriculture, water management, and environmental conservation to reduce poverty and improve living standards across the region. She also highlighted CDA’s commitment to ensuring that local communities actively participate in these projects from start to finish, ensuring their long-term sustainability.
With challenges such as prolonged droughts, irregular rainfall, and water scarcity threatening traditional rain-fed agriculture, CDA’s initiatives are helping bridge the gap by improving water access and promoting irrigated agriculture, which is vital for food security, economic stability, and climate resilience.
Ngure stressed that irrigated agriculture is a key solution to food and nutrition security in the region. By utilizing natural resources for irrigation, CDA has provided reliable water sources for farmers, allowing them to grow crops year-round, boosting food production, increasing household incomes, and reducing reliance on food aid.
CDA’s commitment to improving access to clean, reliable water for both domestic and agricultural needs is transforming the region’s agricultural landscape. Ismael Hamis, a farmer from Kilifi County, shared how improved water access has allowed him more time for farming and family, highlighting the broader positive impact across the region.
In Taita Taveta, CDA’s water kiosks have alleviated the burden of water costs and created local employment opportunities, benefiting families and the wider community.
CDA’s efforts also include drilling and equipping boreholes, such as the Ikanga Borehole, which now provides over 10,000 liters of water daily to surrounding communities, addressing significant water scarcity issues.
CDA’s Wayuboru Water Pan project, once completed, will further support over 3,000 residents and thousands of livestock in Tana River, ensuring a reliable water supply for both people and animals.
With a focus on sustainability, community ownership, and resilience to climate change, CDA’s initiatives are paving the way for a more prosperous and water-secure future for the coastal region. These transformative development efforts are not only addressing immediate needs but also laying the foundation for long-term improvements in quality of life for all regional residents.
