The Soil and Land Suitability for Irrigation of Three Sites In the Upper-Tana Catchment Area (Kunati, Ishiara and Rubingazi; Eastern Province) 1978

Abstract

A request was received from Tana River development Authority (TRDA) through the Scientific Research Division of the ministry of agriculture to carry out a site evaluation of Giaki area as an extension of the proposed Kunati Irrigation Project. The area is situated approx. 30 km east of Meru Township of the northern limit of the Tana Basin. The site evaluation in the field of the area was carried out from 8th to 11th November, 1977. The site evaluation was undertaken in view of the plans to start agricultural development in the area. Such scheme would be mainly aiming at raising the living standards and general productivity of this remote and poor area by irrigated agriculture and crop processing within the scope of improved infrastructure, particularly dorestic water supply, improved road communications and harnessing a small-scale hydroelectric resources (see the preliminary feasibility study of Kunati Irrigation Project by TTDA, 1978). The field investigation was carried out making use of aerial photographs, geological maps and topographic maps of the area sc as to arrive to the present preliminary soil map of approx. scale 1:50,000. It should be stressed however that the present mapping is a provisional one, based mainly on aerial photograph interpretation and a few field profile and augering observations. Due to the limited time, the site evaluation concentrated on the volcanic plain area. Less attention was given to soils of the Hills and Mountains.