GIS BASED IRRIGATION SUITABILITY ANALYSIS: A CASE STUDY IN MALAGARAZI RIVER BASIN IN BURUNDI A THESIS PRESENTED

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