Irrigation and Technical Services Division

Introduction

The Irrigation and Technical Service Division is headed by a Director and is responsible to provide expertise in the development of irrigation infrastructure and efficient water management for increased agricultural production in the country.

Functions

• To formulate irrigation development policy, strategies and monitor their implementation
• To promote the development and construction of irrigation infrastructure in the country
•  To build capacity of Local Government to monitor irrigated agricultural projects
• To monitor and supervise the construction of irrigation infrastructure
•  To provide technical and financial support to the construction and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure
•  To stimulate and promote private sector involvement in irrigation development
• To ensure technical quality control for all interventions in \ irrigation infrastructure development.

This Division comprise of three Sections as follows;-

• Irrigation Planning and Design Section
•  Irrigation Infrastructure and Supervision Section
•  Irrigation Research and Technology Promotion Section

Irrigation Planning and Design Section
The activities of the Section are:-

• Identify irrigation potential areas
• Promote irrigation schemes and services
• Prepare project proposals and designs
• Prepare bidding and tender documents
• Prepare guidelines for operation and maintenance
• Assist in formulation of farmer irrigation organizations
• Preparation policies and strategies on irrigation development
• Develop data bank for irrigation services
• Provide advisory services on irrigation planning and design
• Prepare designs and plans for the utilization of underground and rain water resources for irrigation purposes

Irrigation Infrastructure Construction Supervision Section
The activities of the Section are:-

•  Ensure quality control of irrigation infrastructures
• Supervise construction and rehabilitation of works
• Undertake standardization and dissemination of construction specifications
• Prepare and disseminate the operation and maintenance manual
• Undertake contract management of national irrigation schemes
• Ensure environmental safeguards
• Advise and provide technical support to private sector on irrigation construction techniques
• Disseminate new construction innovations on irrigation infrastructures
• Maintain data bank for contractors undertaking irrigation works
• Provide technical support to LGAs to support farmers and farmers' organisations on the use of irrigation technologies and irrigation

Irrigation Research and Technology Promotion Section
The activities of the Section are:"

• Promotion of adaptive and applied irrigation research
• Promotion of appropriate irrigation technologies
• Ensure the utilization of low cost, affordable and water saving irrigation technologies
• Promotion of renewable energies for irrigation development
• Promotion of tested locally available materials for optimization of costs and water losses
•  Collaborate and liaise with research institutions on development and utilization of new innovation in irrigation field
•  Disseminate new research findings in irrigation development field
• Collaborate with private sector/service providers on enhancing water productivity