{
  "id": 2131394,
  "title": "Government steps up irrigation investments to boost food security",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/government-steps-up-irrigation-investments-to-boost-food-security",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T11:55:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/kenya-steps-up-irrigation-investments-to-feed-growing-population/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kenya's government is intensifying irrigation investments to bolster food production and strengthen food security as the nation's population continues to expand. During the inauguration of a Ksh 79 million rehabilitation project for the Ndigiria Water Pan in Bamba, Kilifi County, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe highlighted the need for rapid irrigation development to address growing demand for food as Kenya's population increases while landmass remains constant. Kagwe said the government is investing in harnessing water from seasonal rivers, permanent rivers, dams and water pans, as well as tapping groundwater through deep boreholes. He emphasized that Kenya cannot rely solely on rainfall to sustain agriculture, stressing the importance of having water available for farming regardless of weather patterns. The Ndigiria Water Pan, established in 1963, is being restored to enhance its water storage capacity and support a 50-acre smallholder irrigation scheme, which will benefit over 100 farmers, indirectly support 4,026 people, and provide water for approximately 15,398 livestock. Kagwe urged beneficiaries to diversify their crops, combining food production with high-value crops to improve household food security and generate additional income sources. He also directed the contractor to implement the rehabilitation in phases to ensure continuous water access during construction and to prioritize local employment opportunities. The government's broader strategy includes major dam projects and the development of irrigation infrastructure across the country to expand water storage and bring additional acres under irrigation. CS Kagwe stressed the urgency of increasing water availability for agriculture to meet the needs of an expanding population and reduce dependence on unreliable rainfall.",
  "summary": "The Government has underscored the need to rapidly expand irrigation across the country to boost food production and enhance food security as Kenya’s population continues to grow. Speaking during the launch of Ksh 79M rehabilitation of the Ndigiria Water Pan in Bamba, Kilifi County, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, government is stepping up investments in […] The post Government steps…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}