Irrigation Schemes in Tana River
Bura Irrigation Scheme: Kenya’s Grand Farm
Bura irrigation scheme was founded in the late 1960s with assistance of the World Bank and the Kenyan government. Its primary objective was to promote agrarian development and improve food security in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya. Situated along the west bank of Tana River, 205 km north of Malindi or 490 km east of Nairobi, the 7 km2 Bura Irrigation Scheme officially got underway in 1977.
The anticipative start was full of promise, to supports almost 6,000 families around the predominantly arid area. The notion and launch was mooted to grow the region, prone to famine, with a long and strong record of water imbalance. Bura irrigation scheme also intended to create jobs and steady the food supply. Relying on the steady supply of water from the Tana, diverted into canals and distributed to farms through a network of irrigation channels, cultivation of a wide range of crops flourished, including rice, the main crop grown in the scheme.
Other crops grown included maize, sorghum, cowpeas, mangoes, and bananas. Although Bura irrigation scheme has never hit its optimal stride, or achieved its yearly output projection, it remains one the most ambitious and grand farm and irrigation scheme in Kenya, and in East Africa. The project has been wreaked by a wide range of financial, managerial and technical can or worms, and has been economically disappointing. Efforts are needed to address the challenges facing the scheme and enhance its resilience to climate change and other threats.
Kenya has implemented various irrigation schemes to improve agricultural productivity, ensure food security, and promote economic development. Irrigation plays a crucial role in Kenya’s agricultural sector, particularly in areas prone to drought and erratic rainfall, by providing a reliable source of water.
Index of Irrigation Schemes in Kenya
Bomet County - Nogirwet Irrigation Scheme, Chebara Irrigation Scheme, Baringo County - Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, Busia County - Bunyala Irrigation Scheme, Kocholia Irrigation Scheme, Embu County - Kaagari-Gaturi Irrigation Scheme, Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme, Migori County - Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme, Lower Sabor Irrigation, Rwabura Irrigation Development Project, Tana River County - Bura Irrigation Development Project, Galana Kulalu Irrigation Development, Turkana County - Turkana Irrigation Irrigation Project, West Pokot County - Wei-wei Irrigation Scheme
outlook
Tana River County is a rewarding destination for travelers interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path locations in Kenya. River Tana is the longest river in Kenya, flowing through the county and offering opportunities for riverine activities such as boat cruises, fishing, and birdwatching. Tana River County is home to the Orma and Pokomo ethnic groups, each with rich cultural traditions, music, and dances.
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Explore Destinations Near Bura Irrigation Scheme
A Guide to Tana River County
A Summa Digest of Tana River
About Tana River Way Back When
28 Destinations in Tana River County, arranged as one would visit these - north to south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Ngao Neukirchen Church, Lake Shakababo, Delta Dunes Lodge, Ozi Conservation Area, Tana River Lodge, Old Town Kipini, Ungwana Bay Ruins, Shaka Ruins, Mwana Ruins, Fumo Liyongo Shrine, Kipini Conservancy, Red Cliff Camp, River Tana Delta, Tana Delta Colonial Forts, Tana Delta Cultural Centre, Tana Primate National Reserve, Mchelelo Bandas, Ndera Conservancy, Mau Mau Hola Monument, Hola Methodist Church, Bura St. Jude, Bura Irrigation Scheme, Bura East Conservancy, Arawale National Reserve, George Adamson's Grave, Kora National Park, Adamson's Fall, Tana River Bridge
Know More About Tana River County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Tana River County has a hot and dry climate with average annual temperatures of 30oC; the highest,41oC, is in January-March and the lowest being 20o C in June-July. Rainfall is low, bi-modal, and erratic.
The land generally sloping eastward, Tana River is all undulating plain that is only interrupted in a few places by low hills – at Bilibil and Bura.