Image: ELIAS YAA
After a successful pilot phase last year, Selu Limited, one of the companies funding the government-backed Galana-Kulalu irrigation project, announced plans to inject at least $80 million (Sh13 billion at current exchange rates) in the next three years.
The company reports that its trial produced unprecedented yields of maize—up to 35,90 kg bags per acre—the highest in Galana Kulalu’s history and nearly four times the national average. As a result, the company plans to grow its operations on the 20,000-acre farm.
According to Selu, it has completed the first 500 acres of development, which included a feasibility study to determine whether large-scale commercial maize farming on the 1.75 million-acre government-owned ranch would be feasible.
According to Mr. Nicholas Ambanya, CEO of Selu Limited, “the recently concluded pilot phase has yielded remarkable results, with record-breaking maize yields of up to 35, 90-kg bags an acre, the highest ever recorded in Galana Kulalu’s history and close to four times the national average.”
“With 20,000 acres of land slated for commercialization and high productivity to significantly boost Kenya’s annual maize production, the project has significant potential to impact food security in Kenya.”
According to the company, the project was implemented in collaboration with a consortium made up of Campo-Brazil, LEAF Africa, and BrazAfric Group, which contributed their large-scale tropical commercial farm management expertise.
In the race to achieve carbon-neutral food production, the firm said the investment would be directed toward implementing full irrigation, smart agriculture, and introducing renewable energy solutions. This development is expected to drastically alter the social and economic circumstances of the surrounding communities.
The government of Kenya is working with the private sector to develop the Galana-Kulalu project as part of its efforts to ensure food security in the country.
In order to guarantee the success of the development phase, Selu Limited, a limited liability company founded to invest in and transform the Galana Kulalu irrigation project through creative and sustainable farming practices, launched a number of crucial initiatives to build the pilot.
The alliance between Leaf, Campo, and BrazAfric is strategic because, with Campo’s 40 years of experience in learning from and implementing tropical agriculture in Brazil and abroad—the company currently cultivates 243,200 hectares, or about 600,000 acres—there are substantial synergies to be gained in the project’s commercialization.
“The Galana Kulalu Project will significantly improve the social and environmental conditions of the local communities in addition to agricultural advancements.”
Credits: Kabui Mwangi
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