Discussion Paper No. 145 of 2013 on Determinants of Performance of Public Irrigation Schemes in Kenya

Abstract

Ensuring adequate and nutritional access to food for a growing population is a major concern globally. In Kenya, the national development blueprint Vision 2030 and the Agriculture Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP) stress the need to eradicate poverty and ensure food security by increasing productivity of agricultural activities and value addition of agricultural products, as well as commercialization of the agricultural sector. In recognition of the economic importance of agriculture, there have been several studies on production where focus has mainly been on the impact of structural adjustment policies, prices, standards and regulations, and market liberalization. However, assessment of the performance of public irrigation schemes in Kenya is not evident. To sustain food production, the government has invested on rehabilitation and expansion of irrigation with the aim of bridging the gap of 1.085 million (between irrigation potential of the country and the already irrigated land) hectares by the year 2030. Despite these efforts, food insecurity in Kenya is a challenge and the performance of public irrigation scheme is way off the mark, realizing only 40 per cent of the target production levels compared to private operated irrigation schemes. This study aims to establish the determinants of performance of public irrigation scheme in Kenya and give policy direction on how production can be enhanced so as to develop a vibrant irrigated agriculture...