LBDA rallies Nyanza behind agriculture-led economic transformation

Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) has called on Nyanza residents to support development projects it undertakes for continuous economic transformation of their lives.

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LBDA is focusing on modernising agriculture and strengthening value chains in support of the Kenya Kwanza government's Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

The LBDA managing director Wycliffe Ochiaga said they started rice mopping-up programme in which they procured 5,000 tons of the commodity from Ahero, Kimira-Oluch, Nyatike, Siaya and Bunyala at Sh60 per kilogramme, injecting substantial resources into local economies and stabilising farmer incomes.

Ochiaga said the agency constructed and rehabilitated 20 kilometres of canals within the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme in Homa Bay County that targeted 8,000 acres of land under production.

“The agency has projected yields of 3 tons per acre as the initiative is poised to significantly increase local rice output, generate employment, and enhance food security. Let people support the initiatives to enable them to benefit,” Ochiaga said.

LBDA has created a downstream segment of the rice value chain and space at their rice mill plant for the full automation of the packaging component. According to Ochiaga, such strategic interventions are critical to improving throughput, ensuring consistency in packaging quality, and reducing post-harvest losses.

The automated system will significantly enhance processing capacity, enabling timely dispatch of milled rice to the market while meeting strict standards for weight accuracy, branding, and food safety.

The investment improves overall operational efficiency, strengthens market competitiveness and positions the rice mill as a scalable commercial enterprise supporting farmer incomes and LBDA’s revenue sustainability.

The agency signed an MoU with Green-Tech Hub Ltd to strengthen productivity and financing options for farmers. Their partnership with Safaricom Foundation under the Wezesha programme focuses on equipping youths with modern agricultural skills through horticulture and demonstrations in Busia County with commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

“LBDA has propagated over 380,000 seedlings, 15percent of which were fruit trees, contributing to catchment conservation and improved community nutrition. Flood mitigation efforts continued through the construction of dykes in Nyando, Kisumu County, reducing vulnerability for communities and protecting farmlands and critical infrastructure,” he said.

The LBDA has improved access to clean water by drilling and equipping 14 boreholes across institutions and communities within member counties, directly contributing to public health and resilience.

The agenda to complete and operationalise the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme and commence development of the South West Kano irrigation project in Kisumu, targeting 4,000 acres under irrigation.

“We also plan to scale up poultry value-chain development by promoting modern layer-farming technologies and building the capacity of community farmers to increase productivity and household incomes. The hay production and livestock value-chain pilot in Migori County demonstrated positive outcomes and presents a promising revenue stream as we scale up,” he added.

The Aquaculture Centre in Kibos continues to be an important asset, producing more than 15 million fingerlings and training more than 600 farmers, while also providing hands-on learning opportunities for students from institutions across the region.