The first maize harvest at the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Scheme began on Saturday, signaling a major comeback for a project that had been written off as a failure just two years ago.
Located on vast government land in Kilifi and Tana River counties, the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project is now being implemented under a public-private partnership between the government and Selu Limited.
Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa, who presided over the launch of the harvest, said the milestone proves the project’s potential to transform Kenya’s food production.
“The Galana Kulalu project is on track to become a food hub for Kenya, supporting the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda to make the country food secure and reduce the Sh500 billion annual food import bill. We are committed to its success, and today’s harvest is proof of that,” Mugaa said.
He revealed that 330 acres of the initial 1,500 acres planted will be harvested within the next five days. The farm has yielded between 28 and 30 bags of seed maize per acre.
Mugaa added that Selu Limited could cultivate up to 6,300 acres with the water supplied by two small dams already built.
The long-term plan, he said, is to construct a large dam capable of irrigating 200,000 acres, transforming Galana into a major food production zone.
The project’s success follows significant government investment in irrigation infrastructure, including a 20,000 cubic-metre intake well, a 2km water canal, a 550,000 cubic-metre reservoir, and a 20,000 cubic-metre offtake pump.
Selu Limited CEO Nicholas Ambanya said the project has created about 200 jobs, with more employment opportunities expected as the acreage expands.
The company plans to increase land under cultivation to 3,200 acres by the end of 2025, 5,400 acres by mid-2026, and ultimately 20,000 acres.
Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho said the success of Galana Kulalu proves that arid and semi-arid regions can support large-scale food production through irrigation.
National Assembly Water and Irrigation Committee Chair Kangogo Bowen praised the project’s progress and pledged Parliament’s continued support for funding irrigation infrastructure.
The first harvest marks a renewed journey toward sustainable, modern, and irrigation-driven agriculture, reinforcing Kenya’s goal of achieving national food security.