Perkerra irrigation scheme offers lessons on boosting farm productivity

Farmers from Nguruman Irrigation Scheme in Kajiado County are in Baringo County for a three-day learning exchange at Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, where they are exploring ways to improve crop production, water management and access to markets.

The visit, facilitated by the State Department for Irrigation, brings together farmers and scheme officials to share practical lessons on irrigation governance, equitable water distribution, agronomic practices, cooperative marketing and dispute resolution.

Perkerra Scheme Manager David Waweru took the visiting farmers through the scheme's governance and administrative structures, daily operations and practices used to sustain agricultural production.

Perkerra Cooperative Society Chairperson Samuel Chebii shared experiences on collective marketing, aggregation and value addition, highlighting how organised farmers can improve their access to markets and incomes.

Nicholas Bowen, the chairperson of Perkerra Irrigation Water Users Association (IWUA), emphasised the importance of formal registration of water users' associations, adherence to by-laws and equitable distribution of water resources to ensure efficient use and minimise disputes among farmers.

The visiting farmers also received training on crop husbandry and water application from Perkerra scheme agronomist Justus Kiptum, who outlined practices aimed at improving crop management and productivity.

Justin Kiprono led a session on dispute resolution, explaining the mechanisms used at the scheme to address water-related disagreements amicably and maintain cohesion among water users.

Beyond the training sessions, the farmers toured Perkerra's water source to learn how water is abstracted and conveyed to farms, as well as how the resource is managed to serve scheme members.

They also visited irrigation blocks, where they interacted with host farmers, observed different crops and learned about crop diversification, field management and production practices.

The exchange is expected to equip the Nguruman farmers with practical lessons they can adapt to improve water management, increase production and strengthen commercial farming through cooperative societies and better market linkages.

The benchmarking tour was organised under the Programme for Enhancement of Water Productivity, Production and Sustainability of Irrigation Schemes (PEWAPSIS), under the stewardship of Maurice Opondo, Director of Irrigation Water Management.

The programme aims to improve the operational efficiency and performance of existing irrigation schemes to support food and nutrition security and enhance household incomes.