Farm Tours in Taita Taveta
Gicheha Farm: Pipe Dream or Future of Farming?
Visitors to Zoyager Ziwani Camp can drive through the 30,000 acres Gicheha Farm on part of which it sits. About 4,000 acres are continually under irrigation, with 2,000 acres of these being irrigated using a center pivot system (wheel or circle irrigation) that is resourceful and uses less water compared to the furrow system. Water for Gicheha Farm is drawn from two streams, Tsavo and Njoro, first flowing into the dam at Voyager Ziwani Camp before it is led through a 2 km long system to the distribution point for the center pivots. It grows maize only, under contract with Kenya Seed Company. Also of interest is a superior breed of goats, used, for many years now, used to upgrade local breeds, reared and sold to select organizations for onward distribution to farmers in different parts of the country.
In 2018 however, the long-standing Gicheha Farm at Ziwani was under the lime light for all the wrong reasons with the planned eviction of 76 families, squatters in the farm for many generations halted by court order in 2020. The squatters were part of a larger group evicted in 2018 from the farm and resettled in the adjacent Sir Ramson land, also known as the Ziwani Settlement Scheme. Notwithstanding, Gicheha Farm is one of the few working irrigation schemes in Taita Taveta County, alongside Chala, Tuhire and Nuukini irrigation schemes. Irrigation in Taita Taveta, sadly underutilized, has been a suppressed dream which dates back to the 1940s.
In 1942, the infamous colonial settler, Col. Ewart Grogan, who was in the employ of the British Army, made a proposal that prisoners of war should be taken away from areas surrounding Nairobi and proposed a large agricultural base with the prisoners of war instead providing useful labour should be started at the Ziwani area. A survey in the same year, to conduct investigations and submit reports on possible irrigation schemes, was carried out at length and the then Director of Agriculture, satisfied with the feasibility report, gave it a thumps up. Flood waters were utilized to irrigate rice over an area covering 400 ha (Block C). Another irrigation scheme (Ziwani) covering 440 ha was developed alongside Block C.
In the short run Ziwani failed owing to mounting hiccups of increasing salinity and sodality, the setting of drains through continual flooding, and changes in ground water level. In 1945, Colonel Grogan, now working with the Hydraulic Branch of Public Works Department, compiled a map of scale marking out suitable and non suitable sub-areas for irrigation. The map gave 2,280 ha as very suitable, 3440 ha as suitable, 280 ha as less suitable and about 1,000 ha as unsuitable. But from the prior experience of the forlorn works and studies in Taveta, it was concluded that the big problem in the area was poor drainage, causing subsequent salinization and alkalization of the soils, bringing the Ziwani irrigation dream to a grinding halt.
Taking cognizance that Kenya is primarily agrarian, farm tours are a fantastic way to learn about the backbone of its economy, connect with nature, and gain insight into the operations of working farms. As diverse as they are unique, farm tours provide an experience and a deep connection to the land. It is great fun, too!
Index of Farm Tour Experiences in Kenya
Bomet County - Nogirwet Irrigation Scheme, Changoi Tea Factory, Kiambu County - Lesioi Farm, Sensory Garden, Lakehouse Tigoni, Little Tigoni Farm, Brown's Cheese, 100 Lights Farm, Kiambethu Tea Farm, Kawamwaki Farm, Naishola Gardens, Mlango Farm, Banana Farmhouse, Munje Farm, The Goldenscape Tree Africa, Farmview Coffee Estate, Karunguru Coffee and Golf Estate, Apollo Science Farm, Fairview Coffee Estate, Laikipia County - Olepangi Farm, Mugie Ranch Farm, El Karama Eco-Lodge and Farm, Kirinyaga County - Sagana Fisheries, Kwetu Home-Sagana, Kiburi Farm, Green Algae Fishery Farm, Kwale County - Shimba Hills Organic Farm, Kwale Tree Nursery, Munje Octopus Closure, Tulia Eco-Garden, Meru County - Kisima Farm, Timau River Lodge, The Wonky House, Tamalu Farm, Charanna Farm, Migori County - Nyamiencho Coffee Farm, Muranga County - Eco Farmhouse, Gatura Greens Purple Tea Farm Tours, Ranges View Lodge, Nairobi County - Ololo Safari Lodge and Farm, Adventure Farm, Nakuru County - Kembu Farm, Nandi County - Kip's Eco Resort, Chepsangor Hill Coffee Farm, Chemomi Tea Factory, Narok County - Mulot Farm, Nyandarua County - Olrok Farm House, Davida Getaway, Maverick Farmstay, Nyeri County - Waihiga Farm, Wambugu Apples, Taita Taveta County - Gicheha Farm, Tharaka Nithi County - Weru Tea Factory, Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon Orchards, Uasin Gishu County - Kruger's Farm at Sergoit, Doinyo Lessos Creameries Eldoret, Vihiga County - Mudete Tea Farm Factory
Situated in south-western Kenya, and part of the Coast Region of Kenya, Taita-Taveta County is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The county features diverse landscapes, including the Taita Hills, which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and the vast plains of Tsavo, which are part of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks – Kenya’s largest wildlife preserve.
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Guide to Taita Taveta County
A Summa Digest of Taita Taveta
About Taita Taveta Way Back When
85 Destinations in Taita Taveta County, arranged as one would visit these - north, west then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Chyulu Hills National Park, Kisula Caves, Kampi ya Kanzi Lodge, Tsavo West National Park, Kamboyo Lodge, Mzima Springs, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Ancient Roaring Rocks, Ngulia Hills, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Kitchwa Tembo Hill, Chaimu Crater, The Five Sister's Hills, Shetani Lava, Finch Hattons Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Chala, Crystal Lake Chala Caves, Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp, Sniper Tree, Gicheha Ziwani Farm, The Njoro Springs, Grogan’s Castle, Mokine Hill, Lake Jipe, Lake Jipe Eco-lodge, Salaita Hill, The Taveta Military Cemetery, Maktau Indian Cemetery, Maktau Railway Station, Taita Hills Game Lodge, Taita Hills Museum, Sarova Salt Lick Lodge, Mwashoti Hill, Maili 27 Bridge, Mwakitau Hill, Lumo Game Sanctuary, Lions Bluff Lodge, Lualenyi Camp, Ndolwa Game Sanctuary, Dembwa Falls, Bura Mission Church, Vuria Hill, Taita Hills, Wesu Rock, Taita Rocks Hotel, Malowa's Shrine, Taita Skull Caves, Taita Research Station, Kilangarenyi Falls, Ngangao Forest, Kenyatta Caves, Mount Sagalla, Rev. Wray Memorial Museum, Ngutuni Wildlife Sanctuary, Volunteer International Camp Tsavo, Mount Kasigau, Kasigau Base Camp, The Maungu Plains, Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, Wushumbu Conservancy, Teita Sisal Estate, Mbulia Conservancy, Tsavo East National Park, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Yatta Plateau, Tsavo Springs, Emusaya Wilderness Arc, Galdessa Little Camp, Lugard's Falls, Mudanda Rock, Voi War Cemetery, Lion Hill Lodge, Kanderi Swamp, Voi Wildlife Lodge, Aruba Dam, A. Aruba Lodge, Nyiri Desert
Know More About Taita Taveta County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like in T.Taveta?
The mean temperature in Taita Taveta is 23 Degrees Celsius, cooler around the hills and hotter on the Nyika where the Tsavos sit. Rainfall distribution is uneven, with the highlands receiving higher rains than the lowland areas.
What’s The Lay Of The Land in C.06?
Taita Taveta County is divided into two major topographical zones: The upper zone high zones, and the lower zone consists of plains of Tsavos.