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

This 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 the condition of before and after "modernization". The results indicated that irrigation water delivery systems were characterized by rigid, inequitable and unreliable water delivery schedules. The weighted average application efficiency, storage efficiency and distribution uniformity at scheme level were found to be 66.10%, 95.13% and 67.25% respectively. Low distribution uniformity and application efficiency 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 rigid 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 improvement in the design of water application practices, irrigation scheduling techniques and system operational policies (water delivery schedules) of the irrigation scheme.