Busia County Set to be the next frontier for food production from irrigation agriculture and blue economy
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma led a delegation of leaders : Hon. Joseph Oyula, Hon. Raphael Wanjala and Hon. Mary Emase ( Busia Parliamentary Caucus secretary) held bilateral engagements with Principal Secretary for Irrigation and CEO National Irrgation Board in Nairobi and it was mutually agreed as follows;
1. Atleast 10, 000 acres of land in Bunyala be put under gravitational irrigation with additional acreage in Nambale and Malaba under rice farming
2. The remain civil works on Block 8 stretching 2.7km which lies in lower Nzoia bunyala subcounty be completed within 14 days
3. The construction of the primary and terriary dykes to control flooding in Bunyala be completed within 7 days
4. A joint inspection tour between H.E Gov. Dr. Otuoma and principal secretary Gitonga mugambi will be done before H.E the president comes to Busia for the Launch in 14 days time.
5. Rice mills to be incorporated in the scope of the project for the Bunyala rice scheme and more private millers be encouraged to establish rice mills
6 . On the irrigation scheme along River Suo started in 2014 covering Butula, Nambale, matayos and Funyula the CEO for NIB reported that there was a design review and a new contractor Ms GL WILLIAMS Ltd Was awarded the contract to complete the works in the four sub-counties by December 2023
7. On Angololo and Kocholia Dams it was mutually agreed that upon completion of feasibility studies the trans-boundary states will sign an MOU with African Development Bank to finance the massive project
8. Land compensation to affected people in the implementation of the project has been a serious impediment in Bunyala. It was noted that the ministry of water had disbursed funds to National lands commission for compensation to affected people. It was decided in a meeting held with CEO National Land Commission that joint team between National Land Commission, Members of Parliament and County Government hold stakeholders meetings in entire Bunyala on 21st and 22nd April 2023 to resolve all issues relating to compensation.
9. County government and national government will embark on a joint venture to drench the wetlands inorder to create land for farming in Bunyala.
10. Cooperative movements in the rice growing be supported in management to ensure self sustainability of the project.
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