Government Begins Buying First Rice Harvest from Revived Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme

By Natalia Seini Letur

The government has begun purchasing rice paddy from the first harvest at the revived Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme in Homa Bay County, marking a significant milestone in efforts to boost local food production and improve farmers’ incomes.

The initial harvest covers approximately 200 acres at the rehabilitated Ondago Swamp under the Kimira-Oluch Smallholder Farm Improvement Project (KOSFIP). The harvest is expected to contribute an estimated 800 tonnes of rice to Kenya’s food basket.

The irrigation scheme, managed by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), was revived after years of inactivity through the rehabilitation of irrigation canals and other critical infrastructure. The project has transformed previously waterlogged land into productive farmland, enabling more than 1,500 smallholder farmers to engage in commercial rice farming.

According to the government, the project is designed to strengthen food security, reduce Kenya’s reliance on imported rice, and create sustainable livelihoods for farming communities. Farmers have also received certified seeds, extension services, and technical support to improve productivity.

State Department for Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the progress at the irrigation scheme reflects the impact of sustained government investment in agriculture.

“Today, the results are increasingly evident across the country, with projects such as the Kimira-Oluch Smallholder Farm Improvement Project demonstrating how deliberate investments in agricultural productivity are strengthening food security, creating jobs, and empowering rural communities,” Omollo said.

The Lake Basin Development Authority purchases the harvested paddy, which is then dried, milled, and packaged for the market, creating value along the rice production chain