Kenya sets target of one million irrigated hectares by 2032

KENYA – Kenya plans to increase irrigated farmland to nearly one million hectares between 2020 and 2032.

President William Ruto announced the long-term goal during the State of the Nation address on November 20. The country still depends mainly on rain for farming, and officials say this approach limits growth, especially as long dry spells become more common.

FAO data shows that Kenya had only 288,000 hectares under irrigation in 2023. The government now plans a major buildout of water projects. The plan includes 50 large dams, 200 medium dams and thousands of small dams to store water in areas that receive little rain.

Officials from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation already identified priority sites in Mandera, Machakos, Kisumu, Laikipia and Turkana.

President Ruto said the country cannot grow enough food without bigger irrigation systems. He urged the public to support the plan and stressed that the approach will help farmers in dry regions. “To produce enough for domestic consumption and exports, modern and extensive irrigation is now necessary and is the only way forward. With dams, we can transform arid and semi arid areas into agricultural production hubs, even in the absence of rain,” he said.

Food imports keep rising

Kenya struggles to meet food demand despite strong potential in farming. Government data shows that nearly 85 percent of land in the country receives too little rain to support stable crop production. This limits yields and forces the country to import large volumes of food.

UNCTAD reported in July that Kenya spent an average of 2.99 billion dollars per year between 2021 and 2023 on food imports. This equals roughly 2.99 billion US dollars per year. Kenya ranks second in East Africa for food import spending after Ethiopia. The main imports include maize, sugar, rice, wheat and edible oils.

Government officials say the new irrigation plan will support farmers, raise yields and cut the need for foreign supplies. They note that the combined cost of irrigation projects will increase spending at first, but the country expects long-term gains in food supply and rural jobs.

Recent reports show that key counties already started early preparation for upcoming works. Local teams began surveying land and mapping sites for the planned dams.

Contractors also carried out studies to determine the best locations for water storage. Officials say they want construction to begin without delays once the national budget sets the final amounts.

As the government pushes ahead, farmers in dry regions expect improved water access. Many say irrigation will help them shift from risky rain-fed crops to more reliable production throughout the year. The goal of one million irrigated hectares now sits at the center of Kenya’s wider plan to build a stable food system.

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