A Tribute to the Lake Basin Development Authority

The Lake Basin Development Authority with the help of a Japanese Development Agency (JICA) conducted an integrated regional development Master Plan in 1987.

A study established that small holders farm improvement project at the confluence between two rivers,namely Awach Kibuon (Kimira) and Awach Tende (Oluch) with a population density of 400,00 people needed the projected capital of KES 3 billion.It was aimed at promoting rice growing and horticultural activities in the area.The project implementation period requirement of six years consisted of 3 components, namely:irrigation system development, management irrigation infrastructure development,environmental mitigation,scheme construction and project co-ordination management and marketing.

Its objective induced income levels by KES 236,679 for the area residents.Improvement of agricultural production integrated crops farmers grow already with export-oriented cash crops.For instance, cow peas and pure strand kale required additional technical assistance and linkages to markets. Kale production for export estimated to increase from 12 tonnes to 2,111 tonnes per hectare,respectively, while cow peas increase from 750 kilos per hectare to 25 tonnes per hectare disseminated. Disruption of farming system priority safeguarded the crops farmers already grow. The yield per hectares in tomatoes production expectation doubled from 12 tonnes to 24 tonnes. Meantime, return per hectare of tomatoes could grow twice to yield 2,500 kilograms and the maize yield six tonnes per hectare. As a great potential area for small scale irrigation development based on gravity flow the launch was jointly presided over by Engineer Okundi and Dr. Awiti. Great counter information have emerged and people are concerned that the great agri-industry,pond fishing and hotels are anticipated.