Irrigation Act 2001 (No. 16 of 2001). Chapter 72:04.

This Act provides with respect to irrigation in Malawi and related matters. The Act consists of 55 sections, which are divided into 10 Parts: Preliminary provisions (I); National irrigation policy and development strategy (II); Establishment of the Malawi Irrigation Board (III); Functions and powers of the Board (IV); The Secretariat of the Board (V); Irrigation fund (VI); Local community participation (VII); Registration of irrigation consultants (VIII); Offences and penalties (IX); Miscellaneous provisions (X).
The Act requires every public officer and any authority in Malawi to comply with the National Irrigation Policy and Development Strategy. The National Irrigation Board shall advise the Government and other stakeholders on policy matters relating to irrigation and drainage and shall also, among other things, approve standards and guidelines for the development and management of irrigation and drainage. The Irrigation Fund shall be vested in and administered by the Minister. It is established for the development and management of irrigation and drainage. The Act provides for local community participation in development and management of irrigation and drainage by allowing the Minister to enter into irrigation management agreement with an irrigation management authority. The agreement shall provide for a management plan and assistance to be provided by the Government. No person shall be engaged as an of irrigation consultants irrigation consultant unless he or she is registered under this Act. The Act also sets out regulation-making powers of the Minister.