The Tana and Athi River Development Authority (Tarda) has released 3,400 acres of idle arable land in Embu County on a 15-year lease, freeing up the land for crop production.
“This land is suitable for large-scale agricultural and value chain processing activities,” Tarda said in the call for bids.
Tarda is one of the six Regional Development Agencies including Kerio Valley Development Authority, Lake Basin Development Authority, Ewaso-Nyiro North Development Authority, Ewaso-Nyiro South Development Authority and Coastal Development Authority.
Tarda's land lease is part of a plan to lease 21,000 acres of idle public land belonging to the National Youth Service (NYS) and Tarda for agricultural use.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced in February that the lease was part of a land commercialization plan. The program aims to lease up to 500,000 acres of idle land and attract R65 billion in agricultural investment.
The state announced it would lease 20,000 acres of land in Samburu Kilimun owned by New York State to be used for livestock production, wildlife conservation and tree planting.
The Kilimun property is the largest of 22 agricultural properties owned by New York State.
“The Kenyan government aims to select one of several private enterprises that can start agricultural and forestry activities,” the ministry said.
In order to maximize profits, Tarda has expanded its portfolio to include the energy sector in recent years.
Authorities recently announced plans to lease some unused land in Kiambele and Masinga to private investors to install 40 and 50 megawatt solar power plants, respectively.
“PPP (public-private partnership) agreements leverage idle assets, increase the availability of affordable renewable energy, empower local communities, allow private sector participation, and ensure food security. , will enable regional wealth creation and generate revenue for Tarda's sustainability through land leases,'' said Tarda.
