Abstract:
Although there are few pressurized irrigation projects launched in Ethiopia, there is hardly
ever any document of research works on the performance evaluation of the executed
pressurized irrigation systems. The irrigation system in Kobo-Girana valley is extensively
developed into modern drip irrigation using groundwater resources. Therefore, this study
was conducted on performance evaluation of Hormat Golina–7 drip irrigation systems. The
emitter discharge and soil moisture content were collected directly from three (3)
experimental plots but, crops yield data collected from one plots of pieces of land. The
hydrological and meteorological data were collected from Sirinka Agricultural Research
Center and Kobo Girana Valley Development Program Institute. Performance Evaluation
indicators were separately evaluated; such as application efficiency (Ea.), uniformity
characteristics like, emission uniformity (EU), emitter flow rate variation due to emitter
performance in the field (qvar), coefficient of variation (Cv) and coefficient of uniformity
(Uc). The average over all values of the parameters in the scheme were found that Ea.
(62.85%), EU (49.28%), Qvar (73.92%), CV (43.80%) and Uc (56.20%), respectively. The
outcomes explained that the whole performance level of Hormat Golina – 7 drip irrigation
systems is low and poor according to the classification. The previous designed irrigation
scheduling and crop water requirement must revised with the existing water availability of
the whole scheme in other words the lateral pipes must be changed. In order to improve the
efficiency of the scheme, irrigation scheduling has to be made and recommended for the
farmers and apply the fertilizer using system fertilizer tanks (fertigation) with skilled man
power in the system rather than manual application by hand. Close monitoring should be
practiced than completely left the operations for the farmers.
