Kenya’s Move to Digitize Irrigation with Drone and GIS Technology

Key Highlights

• Irrigation Department holds consultative meetings with Fahari Aviation and Oakar Services on tech integration.
• Drones and GIS tools proposed to improve monitoring, mapping, and decision-making in irrigation schemes.
• State affirms commitment to digital solutions under the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan.

The State Department for Irrigation has initiated talks with technology providers as part of efforts to digitize irrigation management and boost agricultural productivity.

The department on Wednesday held consultative meetings with Fahari Aviation, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways, and Oakar Services Limited to explore how drone and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies can be applied in irrigation.

Speaking on behalf of Irrigation Principal Secretary CPA Ephantus Kimotho, Director for Quality Assurance and Licensing Nguma Kani said adopting digital solutions will improve water use efficiency, enhance monitoring, and promote accountability across irrigation schemes.

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

During the first meeting at Maji House, Fahari Aviation, represented by Lucy Mwai, outlined how drone technology can be used for real-time monitoring of farms, crop health assessment, and precision imaging for water distribution planning.

In the second session, Oakar Services software developer Keren Mungai showcased GIS solutions designed for irrigation. The tools would enable precise mapping of infrastructure, tracking of water resources, and integration of climate and soil data to optimize scheduling.

Kani noted the department will continue engaging stakeholders to scale up technologies that bridge gaps in irrigation management and ensure sustainable use of resources.