Saudi Irrigation Organization

The Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO) is a government institution responsible for managing, developing, and operating irrigation activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is entrusted with all responsibilities and tasks related to irrigation. It was established in 1972 during the reign of King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud under the name the Irrigation and Drainage Authority in al-Ahsa. On May 22, 2017, the name was changed to its current name by a decision of the Council of Ministers, and its scope of work was expanded to include providing agricultural irrigation and drainage services in all regions in the Kingdom. In the same year, it adopted its own strategy and structure.

Irrigation is defined as the process of supplying soil with the water needed by plants. The organization relies on several integrated sources for irrigation, including:

SIO aims to achieve several objectives that contribute to the development of the irrigation sector in the Kingdom, including economic contribution by enhancing the productivity of resources in the irrigation sector (water, land, and energy), updating infrastructure, and promoting social well-being through offered incentives, capacity building, training for smallholders, and agricultural sustainability.

One of the organization's goals is the ability to enhance the accessibility to the services while elevating the quality by ensuring that water used for irrigation adheres to international and local standards. Additionally, it aims to sustain water resources, expand the utilization of non-traditional water sources, and provide farmers with irrigation water and rationalize its use.

SIO carries out several tasks and activities, including the preparation of general policies, plans, and programs, the development of irrigation activities, the conservation and rationalized utilization of irrigation water, and the utilization of available traditional irrigation sources. Additionally, it provides and schedules programs for agricultural crop irrigation in accordance with water regulations and implements emergency plans to address water shortages.

One of the tasks and responsibilities of the organization is to propose regulations, laws, and standards governing irrigation projects and then implement them. It also takes care of the quality of irrigation water and agricultural soil by applying quality standards for water used in agricultural irrigation, supporting environmental reforms, and constructing, operating, and maintaining irrigation water sources.

The organization also works on establishing, operating, and maintaining pumping stations, water transport, storage, and distribution projects. It monitors irrigation water consumption by developing monitoring techniques, and relies on research and studies to improve irrigation methods by adopting modern technologies while conserving water usage.

The organization represents the Kingdom in local, regional, and international organizations and institutions related to the irrigation sector. It offers courses and programs in its field, empowers and qualifies human cadres, and organizes and participates in conferences, seminars, workshops, and exhibitions. It provides a database and statistical information on irrigation activities and concludes agreements and contracts related to the field of irrigation with local and foreign entities in accordance with laws.

The main branch of SIO is located in al-Ahsa Governorate, and its branches are spread across several regions of the Kingdom. These branches serve as outlets for providing services to beneficiaries and are located in Riyadh, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, al-Aflaj, al-Qatif, and Dawmat al-Jandal.