Abstract:
Title: GIS based irrigation suitability Analysis: A case study in Malagarazi river basin
in Burundi
The agriculture in Malagarazi sub basin (Eastern part of Burundi) is currently dependent on
rainfed system with limited use of irrigation. Highly variable and erratic rainfall and lake of
means to store water in Malagarazi sub basin has contributed to drought and chronic food
shortages. Declining productivity in rainfed agriculture and rapid increase of population, land
degradation, and land scarcity problem are the factors contributing to food problems in the
area. To reduce the current intensified food shortage and poverty in Malagarazi sub basin,
there is a need of strategies that can support the efforts of ensuring food security in the basin.
Irrigation development was found to be best strategic option to ensure food security. The aim
of this research is therefore, to investigate and identify potential irrigable area using the
existing resources such as land and water resources with the aid of geographic information
system (GIS). The total identified irrigable area for Malagarazi sub basins is 651ha, 849.5ha,
7 50ha and 520 ha for Rukoziri, Muyovozi, Rumpungwe and Mukazye sub-basins
respectively. The overall identified potentiial irrigable area in the basin is in the order of
829.5 ha. The total available irrigation potential can not be developed with the available
water. Thus, storage is essential. It can be concluded that the identified suitable area for
irrigation in Malagarazi sub basin is 2,770.5ha. This potential irrigable area, combining with
development technology, can help the population of Malagarazi sub basin which is largely
rural and dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. It will reduce the chronic alnutrition, poverty, hunger and increase agricultural production
