The project will be developed through public private partnerships, with the government putting up basic infrastructure.

Chosen firms will expand the government’s irrigation and transport infrastructure to their allotted pieces of land.

“The detailed design and construction of the irrigation infrastructure and associated work is expected to be provided by the successful firms as part of their investment package,” read the notice in part.

Firms are expected to build access roads to their allotted land, as well as water delivery systems that will be fed by the government-constructed storage reservoir.

According to the National Irrigation Board, once completed the project would see 500,000 acres of land put to maize production, 200,000 acres to sugar cane, 150,000 acres to beef and game animals, 50,000 acres to horticulture, 50,000 acres to dairy animals while a further 50,000 acres will be dedicated to growing fruits such as mangoes and guavas.