RECLAIMING FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN THE TANA DELTA

Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority was honored to host the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Mr. Felix Koskei EGH, at the Tana Delta Irrigation Project (TDIP). He was accompanied by P.S. State Department for ASALs and Regional Development Mr. Kello Harsama and P.S. State Department for Irrigation Mr. Ephantus Kimotho and were received by TARDA’s Managing Director, Mr. Liban Roba, the leadership of Agri All Africa as well as the area Administration Officials.

This visit marked a timely opportunity to spotlight TDIP’s growing role in advancing the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) — particularly in scaling up local rice production, improving rural livelihoods & strengthening climate-smart irrigation systems. Kenya produces about 180,000 metric tonnes of milled rice per annum; against a national consumption estimated at 650,000 metric tonnes per annum. According to the National Rice Development Strategy 2019-2030, the annual consumption of rice is increasing at a rate of 12% and this coupled with an estimated population growth of 2.7%, it is expected that the country will need an estimated 1,290,000 tones by 2030.

The success of TDIP is therefore very crucial in improving the food security level of the country and contributing to achieving the government’s objectives as set out in Vision 2030, the BETA Agenda as well as UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Project also demonstrates how targeted investment in water infrastructure and land productivity can directly support national food security.

TARDA is grateful for the high-level recognition and remain committed to scaling basin-based agricultural development for sustainable growth across the Tana River Delta and beyond. As TARDA, we are proud to steward this basin-based transformation. We’re not just facilitating the production of rice — we are restoring ecosystems and anchoring Kenya’s resilience in its own soil.