PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF HYDRO-FLUME AND OPEN FIELD HEAD DITCH IRRIGATION SYSTEM AT OMO KURAZ-2 SUGARCANE FARM IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Water is a scarce and valuable resource that must be utilized efficiently, especially in regions with limited water supplies. Furrow irrigation is a type of surface irrigation system that used to irrigate row crops including sugarcane. To be more efficient in surface irrigation practices, it is very important to monitor water distribution system in order to assure adequate supply of water to the fields as well as to permit uniform distribution of water over the field. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluates the performance of hydro flume and open-field head-ditch irrigation systems at Omo-Kuraz-2 Sugarcane Farm in Southern Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, primary data such as; flow rate, infiltration rate, furrow length, and moisture contents at various depths (0–30 cm, 30–60 cm, 60–90 cm) were collected. Besides that secondary data such as climate, crop, soil data and the likes were also collected from previous studies, design documents and government reports. The study identified three fields each for the open-head ditch and hydro-flume systems. Measurements of soil texture, soil moisture, inflow rate (at 50, 100, 150, and 200 meter furrow lengths), and infiltration rates were taken using an auger, Parshall flume, and double-ring infiltrometer, respectively. The obtained results indicated that the hydro flume system outperforms the open-head ditch system, achieving higher application efficiency (59.42% vs. 57.66%). Furthermore, hydro-flume systems show superior storage efficiency (32.23%) over open-head ditch systems (13.4%), indicating better water retention in the soil root zone. However, open-head ditch systems excel in water distribution, achieving a distribution efficiency of 84.84%, significantly higher than the 62.8% observed in hydro-flume systems, suggesting a more uniform water application. Both systems face operational and maintenance challenges, including blockages and seepage, underscoring the importance of regular cleaning, inspection, and system adjustments to optimize performance. The findings contribute to improving irrigation practices, promoting sustainable water management, and enhancing sugarcane production efficiency in the region.