- Farmers from Nguruman Irrigation Scheme are benchmarking with Perkerra farmers in Baringo County
- The three-day exchange covers water management, crop production, marketing, governance and dispute resolution
- The visit aims to help farmers improve productivity, access better markets and strengthen climate-resilient agriculture
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Farmers from Nguruman Irrigation Scheme in Magadi, Kajiado County, are visiting Perkerra Irrigation Scheme in Baringo County for a three-day benchmarking exercise aimed at improving agricultural productivity and strengthening climate-resilient irrigation.
Source: Facebook
Facilitated by the State Department for Irrigation, the farmer-to-farmer exchange seeks to equip participants with practical skills and lessons they can apply to improve production and household incomes back home.
The programme focuses on five key areas, including governance and administration, registration of Irrigation Water Users Associations (IWUAs), equitable water distribution, market access, agronomic practices and dispute resolution.
The management team from the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), together with Perkerra's scheme leadership, welcomed the visiting farmers and shared practices that have helped sustain agricultural production at the scheme over the years.
What are Nguruman farmers learning from Perkerra?
Perkerra Scheme Manager David Waweru led sessions on governance, institutional structures, administration and daily operations, highlighting practices that have supported the scheme's continued productivity.
Samuel Chebii, chairperson of the Perkerra Cooperative Society, took the farmers through market linkages and the benefits of collective marketing, produce aggregation and value addition. He also shared insights into how organised farmers can access larger markets and secure better returns.
Nicholas Bowen, chairperson of the Perkerra Irrigation Water Users Association, emphasised the importance of formal registration, adherence to by-laws and equitable distribution of water resources in promoting efficient irrigation and preventing conflicts among farmers.
The visiting farmers also received training on agronomic practices and crop management from Perkerra scheme agronomist Justus Kiptum. His session covered crop husbandry, water application and techniques for improving agricultural productivity.
Meanwhile, Justin Kiprono explained the mechanisms used to resolve water-related disputes amicably and maintain cooperation among irrigation scheme members.
How will the benchmarking visit benefit farmers?
Beyond the classroom sessions, the visiting farmers toured the water source serving Perkerra Irrigation Scheme to learn how water is abstracted, conveyed to farms and managed sustainably.
They also visited irrigation blocks, where they interacted with host farmers, observed different crops and learnt about crop diversification, field management and productivity.
The lessons are expected to help Nguruman farmers improve water management, adopt better farming techniques, strengthen their institutions and expand access to markets through cooperative arrangements.
The exchange also seeks to promote peaceful resolution of disputes while helping farmers adapt sustainable practices to local conditions.
The benchmarking tour has been organised under the Programme for Enhancement of Water Productivity, Production and Sustainability of Irrigation Schemes (PEWAPSIS), under the stewardship of Maurice Opondo, director of Irrigation Water Management.
PEWAPSIS aims to improve the operational efficiency and performance of existing irrigation schemes to support food and nutrition security while increasing household incomes.
Source: TUKO.co.ke