Seminar: Food Security and Irrigated Agriculture: learning lessons from irrigation experts’ based in Kenya during the 1970-80s

In Kenya the ‘unstable’ rain-fed agriculture is considered to be a major constraint in food production; irrigation is key in its national food policy for the years to come. The National Irrigation Board (NIB), although aware of a large range of failures scattered in Kenya’s dry lands, has stated that irrigated agriculture will boost food production by a factor four and is the country’s only hope to improve the food situation and living standard of people in the arid and semi-arid lands.

Approximately twenty Dutch professionals have been working in Kenyan irrigation schemes during the 1970s and 1980s in the Tana River region. Most of them as agronomists, economists or hydrologists. These professionals will gather in Leiden at the African Studies Centre on 12 March to share experiences. Wiegert de Leeuw will provide a  keynote on the history of irrigation development in Kenya. Cocoon Initiative Kenya researchers will provide an update on latest developments (land use planning, nature conservation, politics) in the Tana region. The ultimate objective is to provide a ‘lessons learned’ booklet for local communities and African governments and other international players interested in boosting sustainable food production in Africa.

Please note that this seminar can be attended by invitation only.