Hundreds of farmers in Homa Bay County are celebrating a successful rice harvest after embracing farming at the rehabilitated Ondago Swamp under the revived Kimira-Oluch Smallholder Farm Improvement Project (KOSFIP).
The farmers are now earning from their first harvest, with the government beginning the purchase of rice paddy from about 200 acres that are expected to contribute an estimated 800 tonnes of rice to Kenya’s food basket.
The development marks a major milestone for the irrigation scheme, which has been revitalised to expand agricultural production, improve food security and create new economic opportunities for communities in the region.
State Department for Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the progress at KOSFIP demonstrates the impact of deliberate investment in production agriculture.
“President William Samoei Ruto’s decision to prioritise investment in production agriculture was initially met with scepticism by some quarters. Today, however, the results are increasingly evident across the country, with projects such as the Kimira-Oluch Smallholder Farm Improvement Project demonstrating how deliberate investments in agricultural productivity are strengthening food security, creating jobs and empowering rural communities,” Omollo said.
Located in Homa Bay County, KOSFIP is a flagship irrigation initiative managed by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), with foundational support from the African Development Bank.
The project operates under a framework where the national government retains ownership of the scheme, oversees core infrastructure, maintains the main gravity-fed canals and finances major rehabilitation works to ensure sustainable agricultural production.
KOSFIP comprises two interconnected irrigation schemes, Kimira, which draws water from River Kibuon and covers 808 hectares of net irrigable land across 44 blocks, and Oluch, which relies on River Awach Tende and spans 666 hectares across 53 blocks.
The scheme has an estimated production potential of about 9,000 hectares, with 809 hectares currently under production and ready for harvest, highlighting the room for further expansion.
Through extensive canal rehabilitation, the project has reclaimed more than 2,000 acres of previously waterlogged swamp land, transforming it into productive agricultural land.
The gravity-fed irrigation system has also reduced production costs by eliminating the need for expensive fuel or electric pumps, enabling more than 1,500 smallholder farmers to venture into commercial rice farming.
In April, about 5,000 acres were brought under cultivation, with hundreds of farmers receiving certified seeds and extension services aimed at improving farming practices, boosting yields and increasing household incomes.
The scheme produces the popular Oriang rice variety, while the reliable water supply also supports the cultivation of maize, tomatoes, kales, watermelons, soybeans and sunflowers, allowing farmers to diversify their income sources throughout the year.
The successful harvest has renewed optimism among farmers, who say the proceeds will help them repay loans, support their families and educate their children.
Farmers have attributed their improved performance to the training and technical support provided through the project, saying the skills gained have given them confidence to target even higher yields in the next planting season.
Beyond direct farm production, KOSFIP is expected to benefit more than 3,000 farming households and contribute to food security and economic activity for over 400,000 residents across the wider Nyanza region.
Omollo said the government remains committed to creating an environment where farmers and agribusinesses can thrive, adding that security and coordination among stakeholders are critical to protecting public investments.
“The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration continues to work closely with local leaders, administrators and communities to protect public investments, strengthen coordination among stakeholders, promote peaceful coexistence and create a secure environment that allows farmers and agribusinesses to realise the project’s transformative potential,” he said.
With the first harvest now underway, farmers at Ondago Swamp are looking ahead to increased production, confident that the irrigation scheme will transform the area into a major agricultural hub in western Kenya.
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