Government targets 135,000 acres for irrigation expansion in Bura
The government is seeking to transform Bura Irrigation Scheme in Tana River County into a major agricultural production hub, with plans to bring more than 135,000 acres under irrigation through private investment and partnerships with local farmers.
Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, accompanied by fellow Principal Secretaries, visited the scheme on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, where they were hosted by Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho.
The visit focused attention on the government’s irrigation expansion programme, which seeks to increase agricultural production, attract private investors and strengthen Kenya’s food security under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The scheme is already practising double cropping, allowing farmers to cultivate more than once in a year, while private investors have started investing in commercial agricultural production. A total of 525 acres are currently under seed cane production, marking progress towards establishing large-scale sugarcane farming in the area.
Under the proposed expansion, private investors and local farmers are expected to develop more than 135,000 acres for the production of rice, sugarcane, cotton, maize and other high-value crops.
The expansion is expected to diversify agricultural production in the coastal region while creating opportunities for employment, agribusiness and agro-processing. Increased sugarcane cultivation could also support efforts to raise domestic sugar production and reduce reliance on imports, while expanded rice farming would contribute to closing the country’s rice supply gap.
A key development supporting the investment programme is the Bura Gravity Canal, a 26-kilometre infrastructure project commissioned in March 2025. The canal replaced an expensive diesel-powered pumping system with gravity-fed water delivery from the Tana River, increasing water supply capacity from approximately three cubic metres per second to 11 cubic metres per second.
The improved water supply is expected to reduce irrigation operating costs, improve reliability and allow farmers to expand cultivated land. The National Irrigation Authority estimates that the transition could save approximately KSh120 million annually in pumping costs while supporting increased agricultural production. National Irrigation Authority+1
Private-sector participation is already taking shape through agreements between the National Irrigation Authority and agricultural companies.
In March 2026, the authority signed an agreement with Sukari Industries Limited for the development of 50,000 acres for sugarcane production. The investment includes infrastructure development, commercial cane farming and value addition, alongside commitments to support local communities through employment, education and other social amenities. National Irrigation Authority
The scheme has also attracted interest from other investors seeking opportunities in rice production and other agricultural value chains. The government has identified mechanised farming, livestock feedlots and high-value horticulture as additional areas with potential for investment. Kenya News Agency
Bura has a gazetted area of 176,000 acres, although only 12,000 acres have previously been equipped with irrigation infrastructure. The National Irrigation Authority’s published information indicates that approximately 6,000 acres are currently under cultivation, demonstrating the potential for further development. National Irrigation Authority
The government’s latest push is therefore aimed at expanding irrigation beyond existing farming areas and positioning Bura as a centre for commercial agricultural production.
Through increased investment, improved water infrastructure and collaboration with farmers, the scheme is expected to contribute to food security, rural employment and economic growth in Tana River County and the wider country.
