The semi arid Mbeere North and South subcounties residents will benefit from 16 dams projects to be funded by the Embu government. Agriculture executive Patricio Njiru said the county government has set aside Sh48 million to construct the dams this year.

He said each dam will cost Sh3 million. Njiru said the dams will provide water for domestic use, irrigation and livestock. He said each dam will have water pipes connected to more than 200 households.

Njiru said two irrigation projects have already been completed at Gacuriri village and Kiangombe area from which more than 200 homesteads will benefit. He said in the next financial year, the county government will set aside Sh96 million for construction of more dams.

Njiru was speaking in Embu town during a meeting between county government officers and private sector yesterday. The meeting was organised by the Kenya Farmers' Federation.

Njiru said the dams will be built through the Agricultural Mechanisation System in which the county will fund the projects at a subsidised cost. He said the AMC will be located at Machang'a in Mbeere South and will build the dams in people's farms at a subsidised fee.

Njiru said the centre will be boosted with equipment to enable them build one dam in 10 days. He said the Ministry of Agriculture will sensitise the farmers on the irrigation projects.

Njiru said farmers who have big land can liaise with the centre and the dams will be constructed in their farms at a lower cost. He said the plan will boost farming in the semi arid areas of Mbeere and improve food security in Embu county.

Source : allafrica.com
 

Posted on : 30 Nov,-0001