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Three hundred kilometers east of Mombasa lies Hola, a vast, semi-arid expanse of nearly perfectly flat terrain. As we drive through it, a whirlwind suddenly appears, enveloping everything in a cloud of dust, then vanishes just as quickly.

Temperatures here are over 30 degrees Celsius for most of the year, and the only permanent source of water is Tana River, Kenya’s longest river. Despite the lack of rainfall, the river’s delta is fertile, and has long been the centre of attention for Kenya’s irrigation experts.

Early this month, Kenya sought a new solution to its food insecurity with the launch of a Ksh250 billion ($2.9 billion) million-acre irrigation scheme here in Galana/ Kulalu in Hola.

The scheme could help unlock the potential of the country’s arid and semi-arid lands, bringing 500,000 acres under maize and adding 40 million bags to the annual maize harvest — effectively doubling the country’s maize production.

Author: Christine Mungai, The EastAfrican
http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Will--2-9b-irrigation-scheme-deliver-/-/2558/2199932/-/k7tqgm/-/index.html