Kenya seeks Portugal partnership to expand irrigation, boost food security

The government is seeking strategic collaboration with Portugal to support the implementation of the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan aimed at bringing an additional one million acres under irrigation across the country.

The two met at the Embassy of Portugal in Nairobi on Friday, where they discussed the proposed partnership.

According to PS Kimotho, Kenya is looking to tap into Portugal’s expertise in sustainable irrigation infrastructure, particularly in the modernisation and expansion of irrigation and drainage systems.

The collaboration is expected to support investments in the construction of dams, water abstraction systems, canal lining and improvement of water conveyance infrastructure to reduce water losses and improve irrigation efficiency.

The discussions also explored opportunities for Portuguese investors to participate in large-scale irrigation projects through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), especially in commercial irrigation and food production initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural productivity.

Kimotho further noted that the partnership would also focus on supporting smallholder farmers through farmer-led irrigation projects.

Portugal’s Small Projects Fund was identified as a possible source of financing for community-based irrigation initiatives aimed at improving household incomes, empowering farmers and enhancing food security.

The two leaders also discussed the need to strengthen water resource development to improve irrigation in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), which are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

According to the PS, expanding irrigation in ASAL regions is expected to support year-round farming, reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture and improve national agricultural output.

The meeting was also attended by the Head of Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation, Florence Ndai.