Dubai-based Al Dahra signs Sh103 billion deal to lease 200,000 acres of land in Galana-Kulalu
The partnership aligns Kenya's Vision 2030 with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which President Ruto and his coalition unveiled
Kenya has signed a deal with Al Dahra worth US$800 million (Ksh103 billion) to expand the Galana-Kulalu Irrigation Project in a bid to achieve food security in the country
Al Dahra, a United Emirates-headquartered agribusiness multinational, plans to introduce advanced irrigation technologies and sustainable farming practices across an additional 200,000 acres within the complex to significantly enhance Kenya’s maize production and address the nation’s perennial shortages.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa and Al Dahra Group CEO Arnoud van den Berg and witnessed by President William Ruto.
The partnership aligns Kenya’s Vision 2030 with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which President Ruto and his coalition unveiled. It emphasises about enhancing food security and agricultural development.
The project will be implemented in different phases over the next 10 years, subject to technical due diligence and to the completion of key national infrastructure projects. The project will focus on producing strategic crops key to Kenya’s food security for domestic consumption within Kenya.
Al Dahra’s involvement demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and food security. Al Dahra will leverage its expertise in arid climate farming to support Kenya’s food production and transform the country’s agricultural landscape.
“The Government of Kenya is committed to addressing food security through strategic partnerships with the private sector. We are pleased to collaborate with Al Dahra, believe this project will be a game-changer for enhancing Kenya Food Security Agenda, and reduce the national food deficit. This is one of the largest Foreign Direct Investments in Kenya,” Eng. Eric Mugaa, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation said.
Arnoud van den Berg, Group CEO of Al Dahra said, “This partnership with the Government of Kenya is a significant milestone for Al Dahra. We are excited to contribute to Kenya’s agricultural development and food import substitution through our innovative farming practices and extensive experience in large-scale irrigated farming.
The project is expected to have a positive impact on the Kenyan people, surrounding communities, and the agricultural sector as a whole. It will create jobs, support local businesses, and foster sustainable agricultural practices.”
Al Dahra boasts of over 400,000 acres of agricultural land, which it has leased in Egypt, Romania, Serbia, USA, and other countries. It is specialised in cultivation, production and trading of nearly three million tons of essential food commodities and up to three million tons of animal feed.
