By The Respondents Reporter
The National Irrigation Commission (NIRC) and the National Planning Commission have agreed to strengthen coordination in planning and implementing development projects to ensure public investments deliver greater benefits to Tanzanians.
The two institutions held talks in Dodoma to explore ways of aligning irrigation projects with national development plans and improving their implementation in line with the goals of Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050.
The discussions come as the Government continues to expand investment in irrigation as part of efforts to increase agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and support economic growth.
Speaking during the meeting, National Planning Commission Deputy Executive Secretary for Performance Management and Evaluation, Sosthenes Kewe, said irrigation projects must be guided by national priorities and deliver visible results to communities.
He said government institutions needed to ensure that projects were properly aligned with both short- and long-term development plans while maintaining accountability for the resources invested.
“We should prioritise projects that have the greatest impact on society, put national priorities first and demonstrate real results that improve the lives of Tanzanians,” Mr Kewe said.
Mr Kewe described irrigation as an important component of Tanzania’s development agenda, noting that NIRC programmes and investments should be closely linked to the country’s economic priorities.
The emphasis on results means irrigation projects will increasingly be expected to demonstrate how they improve agricultural production and contribute to better livelihoods rather than focusing only on infrastructure construction.
NIRC Director General Raymond Mndolwa called for closer cooperation between the two institutions from the planning stage to project implementation.
He said early coordination would help identify challenges, correct weaknesses and prevent the unnecessary use of government resources.
“We need to start together to ensure what we are doing is aligned with the country’s plans. Where we are doing well, we should continue, but where adjustments are needed, we should address them early to avoid wasting government resources and improve implementation efficiency,” Mr Mndolwa said.
The meeting also focused on strengthening monitoring and evaluation by ensuring irrigation projects are captured in official government systems.
The institutions further discussed improving the quality of project implementation reports and ensuring accurate data is available to support decision-making, attract investment and measure the contribution of irrigation to the economy.
For farmers and communities, stronger coordination could help ensure irrigation investments are directed towards projects with clear economic and social benefits.
The move also highlights the Government’s growing focus on accountability, reliable data and measurable outcomes in the implementation of development projects.
By linking irrigation investments more closely with national planning, the two institutions aim to improve the use of public resources while supporting agricultural transformation and broader economic development.