Irrigation Water Management, Harvesting and Storage
The functions of the Directorate are: -
- Coordinate implementation and review national irrigation policies, strategies, standards, guidelines, procedures and frameworks on irrigation water use and management of irrigation schemes;
- Coordinate implementation and review programmes and projects pertaining to irrigation schemes management & productivity, and irrigation reforms, research, innovation and capacity strengthening;
- Initiate, develop, implement and review of legislations and regulations pertaining to irrigation water use and schemes management;
- Mobilize resources, involve private sector and form partnerships and collaborations for implementation of irrigation research, innovations, capacity strengthening projects and programmes and schemes management including productivity improvement to counties, IWUAs and stakeholders;
- Oversee Irrigation water development and management in schemes by promoting water saving technologies and efficient on-farm water in schemes across the country and promote best Irrigation agronomic practices and irrigated enterprises
- Oversee Irrigation schemes operations and maintenance by undertaking periodic surveys, assessments on performance providing technical assistance on establishment of irrigation water users’ associations (IWUAs) for management of community-based irrigation schemes;
- Establish and maintain a database on Irrigation schemes, irrigation research, innovations, irrigation technologies and capacity building initiatives, and ensure efficient records management;
- Develop and review training master plan, manuals for capacity building on irrigation infrastructure development, water use, management and regulation of irrigation in liaison with counties and other stakeholders;
- Coordinate mainstreaming of climate-smart irrigation water use technologies and innovations in irrigation schemes; and
- Liaise with training institutions in the development of curricula for training irrigation water management professionals and practitioners.
- Formulate, implement and review Policies, Strategies, Guidelines, Procedures and Frameworks on water harvesting and storage, and groundwater exploitation for Irrigation;
- Formulate, implement and review programmes and projects pertaining to irrigation water harvesting and storage, and exploitation of groundwater;
- Map and designate areas ideal for irrigation water harvesting and storage development;
- Provide technical support and capacity building to stakeholders and counties on irrigation water harvesting and storage;
- Mobilize resources for implementation of water harvesting and storage projects and programmes;
- Mobilize resources for flood control
- Form partnerships in support of water harvesting and storage activities including exploitation of ground water;
- Establish databases and information on irrigation water harvesting and storage;
- Undertake technical audits and assessments on development and management of water harvesting and storage infrastructure;
- Monitor and evaluate implementation of programmes and projects on irrigation water harvesting and storage including exploitation of groundwater;
- Promote use of efficient technologies and construction techniques in irrigation water harvesting and storage development.