Head of Public Service Reveals Major Galana Kulalu Progress as 6,000 Acres Go Into Food Production

Kenya’s Head of Public Service has highlighted progress at the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, revealing that 6,000 acres are currently under different crops as the government steps up efforts to boost food production and reduce reliance on imports.

During a working tour of the Lower Tana Irrigation Cluster, the Head of Public Service visited the project, which spans Kilifi and Tana River counties, alongside several Principal Secretaries.

The visit provided an opportunity to assess progress since their previous inspection in 2023, particularly investments in irrigation infrastructure and private sector partnerships.

According to the Head of Public Service, 2,000 acres are currently under seed maize, another 2,000 acres under soya beans, while an additional 2,000 acres are being used for commercial maize production.

During the tour, the Head of Public Service commissioned a 1-megawatt solar power plant developed by Pwani Farm Ranch Ltd.

The facility is expected to provide affordable and clean energy for irrigation and other farm operations.

The delegation also inspected the Galana Kulalu Water Reservoir, which has a storage capacity of 450,000 cubic metres to support irrigation and sustained crop production.

The government is also mobilising resources for the proposed Athi Dam, which is expected to hold 305 million cubic metres of water and support irrigation across up to 200,000 acres.

Another key development inspected was the new Galana Kulalu Bridge, which connects Kilifi and Tana River counties to the Malindi–Sala Gate Road.

The bridge is expected to ease the transportation of farm inputs and produce while improving movement between the two counties.

The Head of Public Service maintained that private sector participation would be essential in unlocking the project’s full agricultural potential through increased investment and expanded cultivation.

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