GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO SUSTAIN PROJECT BENEFITS
The government has demonstrated its commitment to
make the project sustainable by creating a joint management
structure that involves KVDA, Italian Development Co-operation and
the WWFA. After completion of phase three of the project, the
Italian Development Co-operation will pull out leaving the
management of the project in the hands of KVDA and the WWFA. KVDA
operates 50 ha on the project and is therefore destined to remain an
active participant on the project for a long time into the future.
The 50 ha produce a gross annual income of at least KSh 12m. This is
nearly three times the annual salary and wage bill of KVDA staff. It
is therefore plausible to expect KVDA to continue to operate the
farm and work closely with the WWFA to sustain project benefits for
farmers.
The project was the result of a development co-operation agreement
between the Government of Kenya and the Government of Italy.
Consequently, the project has direct linkages with the Office of the
President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Because of these
direct linkages between the project and government departments, the
project has a direct influence on government policy and practices in
agriculture.
INFLUENCE ON LAND USE POLICY
The project has demonstrated to government that
more investment needs to be directed to promotion of irrigated
agriculture in ASAL. For example, studies carried out have shown
that at least 200 ha of land are required by one household in
Turkana district to be able to attain the level of productivity and
food self-sufficiency now enjoyed by households involved in the
WWIDP. In other ASAL areas, the mean land required has been
estimated at 100 ha per household .
