THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA MINISTRY OF WATER AND IRRIGATION NATIONAL IRRIGATION COMMISSION   OVERVIEW OF THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION POLICY ON GENDER IN TANZANIA Presented by: Eng. Seth P. Luswema. Acting Director General Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Protea courtyard Hotel

PRESENTATION OUTLINE Introduction Policy Vision and Mission Policy objectives Gender issues in the National Irrigation Policy Initiatives in Gender in Irrigated Agriculture

1.0 INTRODUCTION The Government of Tanzania emphasizes on gender participation in development activities in her various National Policies and Strategies including National Irrigation Policy (2010) and its Strategy (2011), National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty MKUKUTA II (2010).

1.1 The National Irrigation Policy The National Irrigation Policy (NIP) is a guiding frame work for irrigation development in Tanzania. NIP also highlights issues impeding the irrigation sector including the roles and responsibilities of different actors and their relationships. Similarly National Irrigation Development Strategy addresses initiatives to mitigate the impeding issues.

1.2. Impeding Issues Impeding issues include: Investment issues Management issues Irrigation Research and Development Promotion of appropriate irrigation technology Production and productivity Training and Human Resources Development Institutional capacity Financing mechanism Cross cutting issues.

1.3 Vision and Mission of NIP A sustainable and dynamic irrigation sector that is a driving force in transforming agriculture into a stable, highly productive, modernized, commercial, competitive and diversified sector which generates higher incomes; increases food security and stimulates economic growth.

1.3.2 Mission To facilitate a participatory demand driven irrigation development through Integrated Water Resources Management to enhance water use efficiency for increased and sustainable agricultural production, productivity and profitability to ensure food security, poverty reduction, and national economic development.

1.4 Objectives of the Policy 1.4.1 Main Objective The main objective of the policy is to ensure sustainable availability of irrigation water and its efficient use for enhanced crop production, productivity and profitability that will contribute to food security and poverty reduction.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives To ensure that irrigation development is technically feasible, economically viable, socially desirable and environmentally sustainable; To ensure reliable water availability for irrigation so as to facilitate optimization, intensification and diversification of irrigated crop production including pasture and aquaculture; To ensure demand driven, productive and profitable irrigation development models that are responsive to market opportunities;

Specific Objectives Cont.. To strengthen institutional capacity at all levels for the planning, implementation and management of irrigation development; To empower beneficiaries for effective participation at all levels in irrigation planning, implementation, operation and management; To strengthen research undertakings, technical support services, development and dissemination of new practices, innovations and technologies on irrigation and drainage; and To mainstream cross cutting and cross sectoral issues such as gender, HIV/AIDS, environment, health, land and water in irrigation development.

1.5 National Irrigation Commission Establishment The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) is established as per the National Irrigation Act. No. 5 of 2013 as a government department responsible for coordination, promotion and regulatory functions.

2.0 Reflection of Gender issues under NIP The policy recognizes that Women play major roles in rural economic development especially in developing and practicing irrigated agriculture, but are hampered by low level of social status in the community, illiteracy, low entrepreneur skills, inadequate access to productive resources and services.

Reflection of Gender issues under NIP Cont…. The concept of equity access to water or irrigated lands and decision making is still a challenge, which hinders full participation of both men and women in irrigation development.

Reflection of Gender issues under NIP Cont… In achieving NIP objectives, gender issues are important in the fact that both men and women need to participate fully and enjoy equally the benefits from irrigated agriculture, if one group is left out, sustainable irrigated agriculture and food security cannot easily be achieved.

3.0 Initiatives undertaken in relation to Gender in Irrigated Agriculture(GIA) In 2011 the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) was conducted to review all policy strategic components for the National Irrigation Master Plan and the National Irrigation Policy including gender related matters. In line with gender issues it was found that the policy acknowledges a fair representation of both men and women in Irrigators’ Organizations.

Initiatives undertaken in relation to GIA Cont… The Regulations of the National Irrigation Act, 2015 stipulates clearly that the management committees of Irrigators’ Organization Management Committee shall constitute not less than five members and not more than nine of which at least one third shall be women.

Initiatives undertaken in relation to GIA Cont…… The Comprehensive guidelines (2010) directs establishment of Project Committees (PC) that are charged to supervise irrigation project during construction. The PC Members selected by the farmers in the village assembly shall comprise ten (10) members and at least one third shall be women.

4.0 Concluding Remarks The NIC has continued to provide training to farmers on gender issues in irrigated agriculture through Projects and Programs. The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) is planning to widely disseminate both the regulation and the National Irrigation Act. More awareness creation has to continue.

Figure 1: Farmers attending training on SRI technology

Fig. 2: Farmers transplanting rice after attending SRI training under PHRD

Fig.3: Farmers removing weeds in rice farm

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