Performance Assessment of small-scale irrigation schemes based on the condition of before and after modernization (A case study of Meka Small Scale Irrigation Scheme)

Abstract

his study attempted to investigate the performance of Meka SSI scheme, which is representative of "modern" community managed SSI Schemes in Dry Dega Agro-Climatic Areas of North Shoa Zone, Amhara National Regional state. Field data measurements, household surveys and key informant discussions were employed to investigate the extent to which upgrading of traditional irrigation schemes improves its performance based .... on · lhe:_eondition of before and after . · '.,. ;,. "modernization" . The results indicated . that - irrigation iJater delivery systems were characterized by rigid, inequitable.andunreliable water delivery schedules. The weighted average application efficiency, st�rage' efficiency and distribution � ,• . . . . uniformity at scheme level wereffoun_ d to be · 66.10%, . .. 95.13% and 67.25% . � . . respectively. Low distribution uniformity .... and-application -sfficiency coupled with ;-..._. ;; .. .,... . :,. high storage efficiency indicated high water losses . .... in · general, as per the results of the survey, irrigation modernization/ upgrading provided dramatic achievements such as increment in command area, increment in water supply, introduction of water fee collection, greater confidence in the use of inputs ; and enhanced awareness of farmers towards irrigation practice. However, the realizations of the benefits of modernization were constrained by ri gid delivery schedules, and rigid irrigation practices. Thus, the adoption of improved hardware is not by itself enough to attain high levels of performance. Therefore, there is a need for im provement in the design of water applic ation practices, irri gation scheduling techni ques and system operational policies (water delivery schedul es) of the irri gation scheme