CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION PRACTICES IN LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT IN THE CASE OF ALETA WONDO KOOLA WATERSHED SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Agricultural productivity in Ethiopia mainly affected soil and water related problems. Among different alternative to overcome the challenges of productivity, promoting small scale irrigation practices is becoming crucial. Hence, the aim of the current study was to provide realistic basis on “Challenges and Opportunities of Small Scale Irrigation Practices in Livelihood Improvement in the Case of Aleta Wondo Koola Watershed Sidama Region, Ethiopia” The study was conducted in three rural kebeles of Dongora elmate, Gidibo and Shaicha. To achieve the specified objectives, interview schedule was developed and translated to local language (Sidaamu afoo), and then by the assistance of enumerators and close supervision of investigator, cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to July 2019 on 98 households selected using simple random technique. After completion of data collection, the data were edited, coded, and entered to statistical package for social science (SPSS V.16) for analysis. Accordingly, out of nine explanatory variables supposed to affect the use of small scale irrigation practices, above half percent of variables were found to be positive and significant factor of the small scale irrigation practices. Therefore, the district Agriculture and Natural Resource Office should give an emphasis to the farmer training centers; Moreover attention has to be given to women household headed to use of small scale irrigation practices so improve their livelihood in the study area. Therefore, the respective implications were put forward for farmers, agriculture and natural resource office of District and kebeles. Keywords: Challenges,