Important agricultural water management technologies for poverty reduction in Tanzania vary from location to location. In some cases, climate and the agro-ecological zone dictates the type of technology to be used.

The most prominent agricultural water management technologies that have been identified by the needs assessment include:

• Spate irrigation: In spate irrigation farmers grow mostly rice under flooded conditions. This technology has strong government support.
• Conservation agriculture: Farmers usually use a combination of conservation agriculture practices that can include terracing, contour farming and composting; deep tillage, ripping, micro-catchment rain water harvesting and pit cultivation.
• Water lifting and application technologies: Water lifting technologies include treadle pumps, motor pumps, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.

The actions recommended to improve the sustainability of agricultural water management investments through research, technical assistance, capacity building policy dialogue include:

• Involvement of the community from the initial stages of the project
• Raising awareness, training and capacity building of stakeholders on agricultural water management
• Involvement of other sectors such as forestry, fisheries and the environment in agricultural water management
• Provision of funding to facilitate the implementation of agricultural water management requirements
• Use of a qualified technical team for the design and building of agricultural water management technologies
• Investment in appropriate technologies.