By John Kariuki
Mwea Member of Parliament, Hon. Mary Maingi, has reaffirmed her commitment to transforming the livelihoods of rice farmers in her constituency, with Thiba Dam playing a pivotal role in boosting agricultural productivity. Since its completion over a year ago, Thiba Dam has nearly doubled rice production, positioning Mwea Constituency as Kenya’s leading rice hub.
For the past three years, the Mwea Irrigation Scheme consistently produced around 114,000 metric tonnes of rice annually. However, with the steady water supply from Thiba Dam, production has surged to approximately 220,000 metric tonnes, significantly improving food security and farmers' incomes.
As a champion for Mwea farmers, Hon. Maingi has actively engaged stakeholders to ensure the continued success of rice farming. During a recent meeting with a team from the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, led by Scheme Manager Engineer Dennis Akinyi and Engineer Munene Kinoti, she discussed key issues affecting farmers and explored solutions to enhance their productivity.
“We had a productive conversation where they provided valuable insights into the progress of rice farming in Mwea and the key challenges facing farmers. We explored solutions to ensure Mwea farmers receive the necessary support to enhance their yields and ultimately improve their living standards,” she stated.
The Mwea Irrigation Settlement Scheme (MIS), located in Mwea East and Mwea West sub-counties, has been the backbone of rice farming since its inception in 1954, initially covering 65 acres in the Tebere section. It has since expanded to a gazetted area of 30,050 acres, solidifying its place as Kenya’s most productive rice-growing region.
With the support of the national government and development partners, the scheme has witnessed remarkable growth. The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been instrumental in constructing key infrastructure, including the Nyamindi Water Intake, the Mwea Irrigation Agricultural Development (MIAD) Research Centre, and Thiba Dam.
With Thiba Dam ensuring a reliable water supply, farmers can now plant and harvest multiple times a year, breaking free from the limitations of seasonal farming. This increase in productivity is not only enhancing household incomes but also positioning Kenya on the path to self-sufficiency in rice production.
Hon. Maingi remains committed to advocating for policies and investments that will further empower Mwea farmers. She has pledged to work closely with government agencies and international partners to address the remaining challenges and expand irrigation coverage. As Mwea continues to flourish, Thiba Dam stands as a beacon of hope, symbolizing the transformative power of infrastructure investment in agriculture.
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