Evaluating the performance of small‐scale irrigation schemes in subhumid Ethiopian highlands

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of two small-scale irrigation (SSI) schemes in the subhumid Ethiopian highlands. Water application at the farm level and flow velocity along the main canal were monitored using a Parshall flume and current meter, respectively. The infiltration was measured at the head, middle and tail of the scheme within the command area using a double-ring infiltrometer. Soil samples were collected using an auger up to 60 cm in depth. Climatic and agronomic data were supplied to the crop water assessment tool (CROPWAT) to determine crop water requirements. The results showed that the average conveyance efficiency for the lined main canal was 90% and 92% for the Mugie and Fesas SSI schemes, respectively. The conveyance efficiency for the unlined main canal was in the order of 86% and 87% for the Mugie and Fesas SSI schemes, respectively. On the other hand, the average application efficiency and overall efficiency were found to be 56% and 51%, respectively, with a storage efficiency of 50% for the Mugie irrigation scheme. Similarly, the overall, application and storage efficiencies were 50%, 54% and 56%, respectively, for the Fesas irrigation scheme. Failure of operating gates, canal siltation and leakage through the main canals were the main causes of poor performance. K E Y W O R D S irrigation scheme performance, small-scale irrigation, subhumid Ethiopian highlands Résumé Cette étude a été réalisée pour évaluer les performances de deux projets d'irrigation à petite échelle (SSI) dans les hauts plateaux subhumides éthiopiens. L'application de l'eau au niveau de la ferme et la vitesse d'écoulement le long du canal principal ont été surveillées à l'aide d'un carneau de Parshall et d'un compteur de courant, respectivement. L'infiltration a été mesurée à la tête, au milieu et à la queue du schéma dans la zone de commande à l'aide d'un infiltrateur à double anneau. Des échantillons de sol ont été prélevés à l'aide d'une auget jusqu'à 60 cm de profondeur. Des données climatiques et agronomiques ont été fournies au CROPWAT pour déterminer les besoins en eau des cultures. Les résultats ont montré que le rendement moyen du transport pour le Article title in French: Evaluation des résultats des projets d'irrigation à petite échelle dans les hauts plateaux subhumides d' Ethiopie.

Exploring Farmers’ Perception and Constraints on the Adoption of Small‐Scale Irrigation in Hulet Eju Enesie District, North‐Western Ethiopia

“…On the other hand, almost half of the nonuser respondents agreed positively with the contribution of irrigation in achieving household food security. This result is consistent with several empirical studies [17,26,45,52], which report the significant contribution of irrigation on improving household food security status. This indicates that, SSI plays a vital role in achieving food self-sufficiency at the household level in particular and the national level in general.…”

“…Several studies [17][18][19][20][21][22] conducted on small-scale irrigation were mainly focused on the economic implication of irrigation and most of these scholars realize the significant contribution of irrigation on farmers income and food security. On the other hand, some other studies [23][24][25][26] were focused on the technological effectiveness of SSI system. The other studies identified the challenges of SSI practice in different parts of the country [27][28][29].…”

Sustainability of Rural Small-Scale Farmers Using a Thematic Content-Fed Analytic Hierarchy Process

“…The second context is peripheral areas where there are inhibited environmental conditions for agriculture and services such as lack of proper roads, market access, agricultural extensions and financial assistance. Literature affirms that economic, environmental, and technological issues [21][22][23][24][25][26], also unpredictable weather patterns, disease, lack of agricultural services, lack of capital, poor roads and lack of market access [9,[27][28][29][30][31][32] constrain the farmer sustainability, resilience and farming business performance. The third area encompasses environmental conditions and connectivity which provide potential for commercially oriented small-scale agriculture, but this potential has not yet been exploited in the rural small-scale dairy setting.…”

Evaluating land suitability and water availability for surface irrigation in the Abbay basin of Ethiopia

“…The coefficient 1.6 behind Kc was introduced to account for the inefficacy of surface irrigation due to water application losses, conveyance losses, losses for land preparation and leaching [55]. Details of surface irrigation losses in the region can be referred from Belay et al [75].…”