The State Department for Irrigation has begun reviewing its progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.
The assessment, led by an audit team headed by Peris Gikandu, follows an entry meeting with the State Department's senior management.
Irrigation Secretary in charge of Land Reclamation, Climate Resilience and Irrigation Water Management, Joel Tanui, led the meeting on Wednesday on behalf of Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho.
The review will assess how the department's programmes and investments are contributing to food security, agricultural productivity and the development of sustainable and climate-resilient farming systems.
The department said the SDG 2-focused assessment provides an opportunity to evaluate the contribution of irrigation investments to Kenya's wider food and nutrition security agenda, particularly through the expansion of productive and climate-resilient agriculture.
“The SDG 2-focused assessment provides an opportunity to examine the contribution of irrigation investments towards Kenya’s broader food and nutrition security agenda, particularly through the expansion of productive and climate-resilient agriculture.”
The review comes as Kenya seeks to reduce its dependence on rain-fed agriculture, which remains vulnerable to climate variability and prolonged droughts.
The State Department said irrigation development is closely linked to its mandate and the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) 2025–2035, which provides a framework for expanding irrigation and increasing agricultural productivity.
The plan identifies five pathways: expanding farmer-led irrigation development, enabling corporate agribusiness, improving public irrigation schemes, revitalising irrigation in arid and semi-arid areas and maximising the benefits of community irrigation schemes.
Through the plan, the government aims to expand the area under irrigation to 2.5 million acres, improve water-use efficiency, strengthen climate resilience and increase agricultural productivity.
“Through these pathways, the State Department is working to expand the area under irrigation to 2.5 million acres, enhance water use efficiency, strengthen climate resilience and increase agricultural productivity. The approach is aimed at reducing Kenya’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture, which remains highly vulnerable to climate variability and prolonged droughts, while creating opportunities for year-round food production.”
The government considers the expansion and modernisation of irrigation infrastructure central to its food security agenda.
Reliable access to irrigation water can allow farmers to increase production, diversify crops and improve farm incomes while supporting more stable food supplies throughout the year.
The State Department said its irrigation investments also contribute to other Sustainable Development Goals by promoting sustainable water management, strengthening agricultural resilience and helping farming communities adapt to climate change.
The assessment will also examine whether programmes and investments are delivering against their intended objectives as Kenya works towards the 2030 SDG targets.
The department remains committed to accelerating irrigation development as a pathway towards SDG 2, while supporting sustainable agricultural transformation, improved livelihoods and national food security.