The Department for Irrigation held two consultative meetings this week technology service providers, Fahari Aviation, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways and Oakar Services Limited, as it seeks to transition irrigation into the digital realm.

Chairing the sessions on behalf of Irrigation Principal Secretary CPA Ephantus Kimotho, the Director for Quality Assurance and Licensing Nguma Kani, said the department is committed to adopting modern technology to enhance irrigation development and management. Kani noted that digital tools will improve water use efficiency and boost the productivity of irrigation schemes nationwide.

“One of the building blocks of the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), launched this year, is data and information,” said Kani. “We are seeking tailor-made technological solutions for the irrigation sector that can facilitate data collection, irrigation mapping, and informed decision-making at various levels.”

The first meeting at Maji House headquarters in Nairobi brought together officials from Fahari Aviation, represented by Lucy Mwai to discuss how drone technology can be incorporated into irrigation management. Drones are expected to enhance real-time monitoring of farms, assess crop health and provide accurate imaging for planning and water distribution.

The second consultative session involved Oakar Services Limited represented by software developer Keren Mungai, who presented Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions customised for irrigation. GIS tools will enable precise mapping of irrigation infrastructure, tracking of water resources and integration of climate and soil data to optimize irrigation scheduling.

Kani said the department will continue engaging stakeholders to identify and scale technologies that can bridge existing gaps in irrigation management while promoting accountability and efficiency in the sector.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Kibet Cheptumo