The government has unveiled plans to expand rice production through the ongoing expansion of the Bunyala Irrigation Scheme, as concerns grow over food security and Kenya’s heavy dependence on imported rice.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The project, which falls under the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), is expected to increase irrigated farmland, improve agricultural productivity, and strengthen the country’s domestic rice production capacity at a time when climate change and unpredictable weather patterns continue to threaten food supplies.

Located under the Nzoia Irrigation Project in Busia and Siaya, the scheme has become one of the Government's key agricultural investments aimed at reducing reliance on rain-fed farming while boosting local food production.

PS Raymond, in a statement on June 29, 2026, says that the expansion works are currently at 62 per cent complete and are expected to lock more land for irrigation as the state moves to increase rice output and cushion the country against potential shortages.

📌 What You Need to Know

Kenya’s push to expand irrigation-based rice farming comes at a time when the country continues to rely heavily on imported rice to meet growing local demand. Despite increasing consumption, local production remains insufficient, forcing Kenya to spend tens of billions of shillings annually on imports mainly from Pakistan, India, and Tanzania.

According to World Bank trade data, Kenya imported rice worth more than $500 million, approximately Ksh65 billion in 2024 alone. The growing import bill has intensified pressure on the Government to accelerate local production through large-scale irrigation projects such as Bunyala, Mwea, and Ahero in a bid to strengthen food security and reduce dependence on foreign supplies.

Additionally, one of the major transformations under the project has been the shift from the costly pump-fed irrigation system to a gravity-fed model drawing water directly from the River Nzoia. The transition is expected to lower operational costs, improve efficiency, and ensure a more reliable supply of water for farmers throughout the year.

The project has also strengthened post-harvest management through farmer-managed drying and storage facilities, helping producers preserve quality and access wider markets within Kenya and across the East African region. Beyond farming, the project is also highlighting the role of coordinated government support in large-scale agricultural development.

The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration has been involved in mobilising communities, facilitating stakeholder engagement, supporting land consultations, and ensuring stability around project operations. As pressure r mounts on the government to strengthen food production and reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions, irrigation projects such as Bunyala are increasingly being viewed as central to Kenya's long-term food security strategy.

Originally established in 1969 as a 540-acre pilot project, the scheme has expanded to more than 3,200 acres currently under production, supporting over 14,000 farmers across the region.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke