The first seed maize harvest from the Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project has started under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the government and Selu Limited. This marks a significant step towards reviving large-scale maize production in the country.
Speaking during the official launch of the harvesting on Saturday, Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa announced that about 860,000 kilograms of seed maize had been harvested from 330 of the 1,500 acres cultivated by Selu Limited. The yield, averaging 30 bags per acre, represents a promising start for the project, which is expected to expand further in the coming months.
“The project is living proof that with proper support from the government, the national assembly and the private sector working together, it is possible to address the challenge of food insecurity in the country,” said Eng. Mugaa.
The Galana-Kulalu project, implemented through the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), has received KSh519 million in government support for key infrastructure. This includes a 20,000-cubic-metre intake well, a two-kilometre lined canal, a 550,000-cubic-metre water reservoir, and a 20,000-cubic-metre offtake pump, all designed to ensure consistent irrigation and sustainable maize production.
Currently, 1,170 acres are still under seed maize cultivation at various stages of growth. Selu Limited has deployed nine centre pivots for irrigation and plans to increase coverage to 3,200 acres by the end of the year, and 5,400 acres by June 2026, with the long-term goal of opening 20,000 acres for maize production.
Eng. Mugaa noted that the project supports the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and could help the country save between Sh400 billion and Sh600 billion in food imports annually.
Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho said the ministry is already in talks with other private investors to explore the development of the remaining 180,000 acres of the Galana-Kulalu block. “The government is planning to build a mega dam to facilitate this,” he added.
Kimotho underscored the importance of PPPs in agriculture, stating, “The advantage of partnering with private entities is that they bring in technology and a business mindset, which ensures high efficiency.” He also revealed that by-products from the harvested seed maize will be converted into fodder for livestock farmers.
Selu Limited Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Ambanya said the company intends to cultivate 20,000 acres within the next three years. “We have opened 1,500 acres, which are being cultivated using nine centre pivots. By year-end, we expect to have cropped 3,200 acres,” he said.
Ambanya added that the project has created 200 jobs so far, with employment expected to rise to 2,000 at full capacity. The company also plans to collaborate with local communities in areas such as health and education as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
National Assembly Committee on the Blue Economy and Irrigation Chairperson Kangogo Bowen commended the project’s progress, noting that Parliament’s allocation of Sh519 million to NIA was yielding tangible results.
