Across Africa, the changing climate has exposed the fragility of rain-fed agriculture. Erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts, and degraded land threaten millions of livelihoods. Irrigation therefore stands as the cornerstone of food security, resilience, and inclusive growth.
In Kenya, the State Department for Irrigation (SDI) is implementing the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), a long-term framework that reimagines irrigation through five transformative pathways:
1. Farmer-led irrigation
2. Expansion in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs)
3. Revitalization of public schemes
4. Corporate investment
5. Community-based models
Central to this plan is the Mapping of Community Based Irrigation Schemes (MCBIS), a data-driven initiative supported by AGRA. MCBIS is designed to develop a comprehensive digital inventory of irrigation schemes, capturing their spatial locations, functionality, infrastructure status, and potential for climate-smart investments.
The initiative aims to build an evidence base that will enable policymakers, investors, and development partners to coordinate resources more efficiently, target investments, and enhance water productivity in dryland regions. At COP30, Kenya and AGRA will present the MCBIS concept to the international community, invite partners to co-develop and scale the framework, and explore opportunities for technical collaboration and co-financing to enhance resilience in Africa’s Arid & Semi-Arid Lands.
Opening Remarks (10 min):
Case Study: Community-Based Irrigation & Dryland Restoration – Practitioner from East or Southern Africa (10 min):
Present practical lessons from farmer-led irrigation and dryland restoration models. Highlight successes in water-use efficiency, solar-powered irrigation, soil rehabilitation, and resilience-building among smallholders. Share community-level innovations and service models that anchor sustainable water management, improved productivity, and inclusive growth.
Partner Reflections and Commitments (20 min):
Interactive dialogue with partners and potential investors on opportunities for collaboration and resource mobilization to support the MCBI initiative.
Innovation Spotlight: Irrigation, Energy & Climate-Smart Technologies (5 min).
Showcase how solar irrigation, automation, and climate information services are reshaping dryland agriculture. Demonstrate how technology is reducing irrigation costs, improving water productivity, and strengthening market systems. Highlight opportunities for blended finance, youth-led innovation, and scalable pilots.
Panel Discussion & Q/A – Financing Data-Driven Irrigation for Climate-Resilient Landscapes
Closing Remarks – AGRA Representative
