Kiladeda River in Pangani Basin, Tanzania, plays a vital role of providing water for agricultural activities of the sub catchment. However, it is experiencing a problem of inequitable distribution of irrigation water among farmers. Cross-sectional data was collected from farmers both in upstream and downstream using questionnaires, while river discharge measurements were conducted in referenced spot gauging stations. WEAP model was used to analyze water demand and allocation among farmers. Furrow irrigation (94%) and plastic buckets (6%) were the main irrigation water management practices. The results of WEAP model revealed a water shortage of about 53.6% of the total irrigation water required. The annual irrigation water demand and unmet demand were 13.93Mm3 and 7.47Mm3 respectively, and are both expected to increase twice in 2020. This high water demand for irrigation could be the main cause of excessive water abstraction. A partnering approach is recommended to improve irrigation water management; reviewing of laws, regulations and water rights.

Kiladeda River in Pangani Basin, Tanzania plays a vital role of providing water for agricultural activities of the sub-catchment. However, it is experiencing a problem of inequitable distribution of irrigation water among farmers. Cross-sectional data was collected from farmers both in upstream and downstream using questionnaires, while river discharge measurements were conducted in referenced spot gauging stations. WEAP model was used to analyze water demand and allocation among farmers. Furrow irrigation (94%) and plastic buckets (6%) were the main irrigation water management practices. The model results revealed a water shortage of 46.4% of the total irrigation water required. The annual irrigation water demand and unmet demand were 13.93mm3 and 7.47mm3, respectively, and are both expected to increase twice in 2020. This high water demand for irrigation could be the main cause of excessive water abstraction. A partnering approach is recommended to improve irrigation water management, reviewing of laws, regulations, and water rights.