Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods

A farmer works in a field benefited from the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

A farmer gets water from a canal of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

A cow grazes beside a canal of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

Farmers divert water into fields in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

Farmers divert water into fields in Siaya County, western Kenya on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

A farmer works in a field benefited from the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 20, 2025 shows the canal of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

A drone photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows a view of the pre-reclamation plains along Lake Victoria in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

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An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 17, 2020 shows a view of the construction site of a flood control project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

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Workers are seen at the construction site of the second phase of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya on March 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows a construction site of the second phase of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows a view of the pre-reclamation plains along Lake Victoria in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua)

A farmer carries a basket filled with water in a field benefited from the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

An aerial drone photo taken on July 23, 2020 shows a construction site of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on April 24, 2019 shows a view of the construction site of the water intake of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua)

A farmer works in a field benefited by the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

This photo taken on Feb. 20, 2025 shows the water intake structure of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

A farmer works in a field benefited from the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya.

One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya.

The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency.

The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency.

(Xinhua)