Kisumu County plans to partner with Israel's irrigation firm, Netafim to help bring to life the lakeside county's horticultural sector.
The county's Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Chief Executive Committee member Philip Obade said his ministry has set aside Sh7.7 million from the approved allocation of Sh270 million to pilot high-value horticulture and drip irrigation.
The projected will be tested at the Maseno Agricultural Training Centre before being rolled out to other areas.
Mr Obade said the county looks forward to partnering with Israeli firms which championed successful irrigation schemes like Galana-Kulalu Food Project which targets at meeting local demand and offloading surplus to foreign markets via the Kisumu International Airport.
Tomatoes, onions, vegetables and fruits like pawpaw will be grown in Nyakach, Nyando and Seme sub counties he said.
"I visited Israel and I managed to get Netafim which is interested in this region's agricultural sector and they will be helping us launch horticulture under micro-irrigation,” he said in an interview.
"Kisumu imports the bulk of what it consumes yet studies show that we are agriculturally capable of feeding ourselves."
He said the county had approved funds to purchase seven farming tractors and another 20 hand-operated tractors to help in mechanization of land preparation.
The county also plans to introduce improved dairy farming and has bought 84 dairy cows, 70 dairy goats and 35 Gala bucks and dopper rams to kick off the project.