Farmers will soon be able to lease or purchase solar-powered irrigation systems through flexible payment plans under a new government-backed programme aimed at reducing reliance on rainfall and boosting crop production.
“When the rains delay, my crops dry up and I lose everything,” said Margaret Maina, a farmer in Kagochi in Nyeri County. “If I had irrigation, I would harvest throughout the year.”
Such frustrations are common among small-scale farmers who depend on rain-fed agriculture. The new farmer-led irrigation initiative seeks to change this by improving access to affordable irrigation technologies and financing.
Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho said access to credit remains one of the biggest barriers to irrigation adoption. Smallholder farmers are often considered high-risk borrowers due to lack of collateral, while irrigation suppliers face high costs reaching rural customers.
To bridge this gap, he said, the government is working with development partners and the private sector to implement a results-based financing (RBF) model.
“Through this model, suppliers will receive rebates after verified installation of working irrigation equipment,” he said. “This will help lower equipment costs for farmers, reduce market risks for suppliers and ensure quality installations.”
Under the approach, farmers become the primary investors and decision-makers, while government shifts from direct implementation to facilitation, creating policies, financing pathways and market systems that support irrigation uptake.
He said the 10-year blueprint (2025–2035) is anchored in the Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) approach under the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), and designed to transform Kenya’s irrigation landscape.
Kimotho said the project will target more than five million farmers and about 350,000 acres by enabling individual farmers and small groups cultivating between half and two hectares to invest in irrigation systems suited to their needs.
“The broader NISIP plan aims to add one million irrigated acres and optimize 319,000 existing acres, requiring an estimated Sh598 billion ($4.6 billion) investment,” he said. “About 60 percent of this financing is expected from private investors and farmers, with government providing the remainder.”
He noted that irrigation adoption is critical as climate change continues to disrupt agricultural production.
“Only four percent of agricultural land is under irrigation. If we want to protect production and increase output, it is time to embrace irrigation,” he said.
About 75 percent of small-scale farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture and are increasingly vulnerable to climate shocks.
“For us to build climate resilience, we must encourage irrigation. But access to finance remains a major challenge,” Kimotho added.
He said linking farmers to markets through contract farming could help them secure financing.
“With irrigation, farmers can produce consistently. Contracts can serve as security because buyers are assured of supply,” he explained.
The government is also exploring cost-sharing models and climate finance options to make irrigation equipment more accessible through longer repayment periods and concessional funding.
Daniel Odera, Director of Irrigation Water Management, Harvesting and Storage, said the irrigation strategy aims to improve resilience and productivity nationwide.
“Under the entire framework, we are mobilizing about Sh598 billion. Around 60 percent will come from the private sector, while government will provide about 40 percent,” he said.
He pointed out the importance of farmer aggregation to improve market access. “Individual farmers produce small quantities, yet markets demand bulk supply. Aggregation will help them access better markets and earn more,” he noted.
Odera added that the programme will support training, technology access, insurance solutions and market linkages. Proposed technologies include solar-powered pumps, drip irrigation kits, greenhouses and portable pumping systems.
“Farmers need access to knowledge, irrigation technologies and innovative financing. Flexible repayment options will make irrigation equipment affordable while reducing risk for both farmers and lenders,” Odera said.
