Nepal Irrigation Management Information System

Land use in Nepal is dominated by forest, followed by agricultural area. Only 18% of the total area are considered suitable for agriculture purpose. Within a short distance, Nepal’s topography changes from the alluvial Gangetic plains suitable for agriculture to the snow covered Himalayan Mountains. Most irrigated areas are concentrated around the low lying Terai plains stretching from the far-west to the far-east covering the entire southern part of the country.

Irrigation system forms intricate relationship with different components and stakeholders of the environmental and social system. The effective management of any irrigation system requires institutionalizing this interrelationship through different mechanism and tools. Interconnected social, technical, agricultural, economic and institutional data are generated continuously which needs to be properly documented and digitalized. Among different requirements for the effective irrigation management, the database management is regarded as a key component, which also forms an integral part of the overall institutional development process. Appropriate management of irrigation database not only helps in improving system performance and effectiveness, it also support for evaluation of project effectiveness, plan new projects, frame relevant policies, monitor and analyze project progress and research and development.

National Water Resources policy, Irrigation policy, Irrigation Master Plan of Nepal all have underpinned the importance of database management in irrigation and water resources sector. DWRI itself forms a large volume of technical, socio-economic, agricultural, environmental and institutional information and database which is continuously expanding with time. Thus, the documentation and digitalization of this vase database necessitates the establishment of relevant and robust database management system.

  Objective of NIMIS Development

    To develop a functional and continuous national irrigation database management system.
    To propose a mechanism for the collection of irrigation related-data and their entry in the database system.
    To train the staffs for building capacity in the use of database management system.


Expected Outcome from NIMIS Development

    Ensure smooth operation and functioning of the system
    The capacity building of staffs in the use of database management system
    Propose a mechanism for the collection of irrigated related-data and their entry in the database system
    Development of a national web-based irrigation database management system