The State Department for Irrigation today held two consultative meetings with 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, emphasized the department’s commitment to adopting modern technology to enhance irrigation development and management. He 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, held at Maji House, 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 customized 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.
By Kibet Cheptumo
