Launch of the National Irrigation Services Strategy at Sarova Panafric Hotel.
Launch of the National Irrigation Services Strategy at Sarova Panafric Hotel.
Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Hon. Alice M. Wahome accompanied by East African Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Hon. Rebecca Miano, Principal Secretary State Department for Irrigation Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, EBS, Principal Secretary State Department for Water and Sanitation Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh, Development partners, and other leaders from National Government and National Irrigation Authority today launched the National Irrigation Services Strategy at Sarova Panafric Hotel.
The National Irrigation Services Strategy aims at actualizing the aspirations of the National Irrigation Policy. It identifies the key constraints to irrigation development and management, while also defining strategic interventions to address them. The key interventions include: expanding irrigation infrastructure; irrigation water resource development; technical and institutional capacity development; and strengthening the provision of irrigation support services and infrastructure. The National Irrigation Services Strategy also outlines investment opportunities in the irrigation sector. It is envisaged that implementation of the strategy will confer benefits on the country including: an increase in agricultural production; creation of job opportunities; foreign exchange earnings and saving; and economic growth in rural areas.
Implementation of the proposed interventions is estimated to cost KES 389 billion over the period 2022 to 2026. This amount includes the cost of irrigation infrastructure development, construction of water harvesting and storage structures, sector capacity development, targeted support programmes and irrigation information management.
During the launch, the CS urged all the irrigation sector actors to play their respective roles by aligning their plans and activities to the National Irrigation Services Strategy and engage with the Ministry to realize the aspirations of the strategy.