ASSESSMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SELECTED SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION SCHEMES: CASE STUDY OF WOTER-02, ARARA AND HAJIFEJA SCHEMES IN EAST HARARGHE ZONE.

Abstract

This study was initiated to evaluate the performance of three small-scale irrigation schemes found in Qersa district, namely, Arara, Woter-02 and Hajifaja schemes using selected performance indices. The technical evaluation was made by measuring selected performance indicators such as conveyance efficiency, application efficiency, scheme efficiency and performance indicators such as water productivity and land productivity. Moreover, water management practices and dependability of the irrigation interval was also investigated through a questionnaire of the sample household survey. Overall activities in primary data collected included: field observation, interviewing beneficiary farmers, soil sample taking and discharge measurements in the canals. In addition to the primary data, secondary data such as meteorological data and agricultural production were collected from the secondary sources from zonal and Woreda irrigation development office and DA of PA and other respective offices. The results showed that the main canal conveyance efficiencies of the three schemes, Arara scheme, Hajifaja scheme and Woter-02 scheme, were 85%, 82 % and 78 % respectively. The maximum value of application efficiency was found in downstream field, at Hajifaja scheme 70.79% and the minimum value was in the Woter 02 scheme at upstream field 41.04%. From analysis of water supply and demand following results were obtained. Relative Water supply is 1.1, 1.5 and 1.8 at Hajifaja, Arara and Woter-02 schemes respectively, and Relative Irrigation Supply is 0.9, 1.4 and 1.8 at Hajifaja, Arara and Woter-02 schemes respectively. The results indicate that released water from diversion is more than the requirement; it can develop extra command if managed properly. Output per unit irrigated command area in Birr/ha was 190,386, 210,701 and 213,622 at Arara, Hajifaja and Woter-02 scheme respectively. Outputs per unit irrigation water supply were 17, 20 and 34 Birr/M 3 at Woter-02, Arara and Hajifaja scheme respectively. Output per unit irrigated water delivered is 20, 24, and 40 Birr/M 3 for Woter-02, Arara and Hajifaja scheme respectively. Whereas outputs per unit water supply were 13, 15 and 23 Birr/M 3 at Woter-02, Arara and Hajifaja scheme respectively. The results reveal that hajifaja scheme is performing better than Arara and Woter-02. Factors that affect the productivity of schemes are poor water management, farm structures’ deterioration, improper irrigation schedule and other agricultural input utilization. Improvement measures should be taken in terms of rehabilitation of the schemes, creating farmers’ awareness for water management and input utilization and frequent maintenance of schemes.