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Nepali officials enhance their expertise on irrigation and water resource management

Posted: 8 October 2024

Nepal, Alumni, Impact, Linkages,

Four water resources officials from the Government of Nepal recently travelled to Sydney, Australia, to attend the southern hemisphere’s premier water event. Held on 1–7 September 2024, the event incorporated the 9th Asian Regional Conference for Irrigation and Drainage and the 75th International Executive Council meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. The government officials were supported to participate through an Australian Professional Opportunity offered by Australia Awards.

The four participants were Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation officials Sarita Dawadi, Secretary (Water Resources and Irrigation), and Shishir Koirala, Joint Secretary, and Department of Water Resources and Irrigation officials Dr Santosh Kaini, Deputy Director General, and Ezee GC, Senior Divisional Engineer. All four officials presented their research findings at the event and were part of a larger delegation of Nepali officials who attended the conference.

Three of the APO participants (Right to left): Dr Santosh Kaini, Ezee GC and Sarita Dawadi participating in the opening session of the conference.

The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Irrigation’s role in delivering economically viable food security and sustainable urban spaces in an increasingly unpredictable climate’. The conference also had sub-themes focused on governance, investment and capacity development in sustainable irrigation practices.

Almost 1,400 delegates and visitors attended the conference and events, which took place at the International Convention Centre Sydney. Around 100 exhibitors showcased their innovative products and technologies. Attendees included researchers, engineers, policymakers, industry practitioners, manufacturers, service providers and farmers from around the world, particularly from Asia. Australia—the host country—is a leader in the Asia-Pacific region in irrigation and water basin management.

The Australia Awards-supported participants spoke positively about their overall conference experience. Secretary Sarita Dawadi, who delivered opening remarks at the conference, said, “Networking with international experts/professionals has opened the door for collaboration in the future. International practices on water resources and irrigation management […] could be incorporated into Nepalese policies.” Sarita also noted that she benefited from gaining new understanding of international practices on environmentally friendly infrastructures and the possibility of automation in irrigation water management.

Secretary Sarita Dawadi delivering opening remarks at the conference. Photo credits: Irrigation Australia

Shishir Koirala said that the conference helped him in “formulating policy instruments for automation in irrigation, which consequently will help Nepal’s irrigation development and management process”. He also mentioned the value of the new knowledge he has gained about different types of irrigation technologies and their use.

Dr Santosh Kaini said, “Experiences of other nations in irrigation and water resources management could be successfully applied in Nepal. For instance, pump irrigation technologies are most suitable for irrigating the hills of Nepal. Furthermore, automation in irrigation is another avenue in the water resources sector in Nepal, consequently fostering Nepal’s development process.” Dr Kaini valued the connections he made with manufacturers/suppliers of pumps for irrigation schemes, which could help him select appropriate technology for pump irrigation in the hills of Nepal, “as Nepal has a potential lift irrigation area of 566,000 hectares”.

Ezee GC said, “I was able to learn the different dimensions and horizons of irrigation water management. I got the opportunity to listen to lots of new development technology in the field and met many experts in the industry.” Furthermore, she mentioned that, even after working in the irrigation sector for more than 15 years, this conference offered her ample opportunity to assess the gaps that exist in Nepal’s irrigation development.

Australian Professional Opportunities are professional development and capacity building opportunities funded by the Australian Government and offered by Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia.