14 new operational irrigation schemes set in Baringo County

Baringo County executive committee (CEC) for livestock and fisheries Caroline Tenges said that 14 new operational irrigation schemes have been set across the county to increase food productivity.
Tenges attested during the Baringo Entrepreneurship Expo Summit that the county government worked with the ministry of water and irrigation to set up the schemes so as to secure sufficient food supply in the county.
“Among the 14 irrigation schemes are already contracted by companies such as Olerai, Elgon seed and Kenya Seed Company who collude with farmers to produce quality maize seeds,” Tenges added.
Tenges said that the county is investing a lot in agribusiness as it is the backbone of the county and a way to reduce food insecurity that has been frequently threatening the county with a population of over 2 million.
The CEC admitting that the county has 5 afro climate regions said it has a potential to produce mass food and cash crop varieties in highlands and animal production majorly in the semi arid areas in the county.
Tenges noted that women have been involved in agribusiness through irrigation by use of new technologies such as use of green houses to plant giant tomatoes.
"We have mobilised women into groups and supplied them with 10 green houses to enable them practice food farming and empower women in agriculture," Caroline explained.
She said the beekeepers have joined associations and cooperatives and have come with 300 honey processing plans which enable them package honey.
"The honey is a mixture of medicinal plants such as acacia and thus able to cure several deseas despite its sweetness," Tenges advised.
Honey from Baringo has gained both local and international market and we are already negotiating witg an investor fro South Korea who has seen the need to source honey from here, Tenges added.
Kerio Valley Developmet Authority managing director David Kimosop said the company produces 3,000 beehives annualy and targets to produce 1,000 tonnes of honey per year.
Kimosop acknowledged that the county can do well in terms of mango fruit production but more nees to be done in growing the trees to ensure that it produces fruits that attract international markets.
"KVDA is planning to install a mango processing plan able to enable the county package various types of turned mango fruit products, " Kimosop concluded.