ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF IRRIGATION DVELOPMENT AT AMIBARA IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was conducted at Amibara irrigation project area, within the Middle Awash Valley of Ethiopia. This area was potential for irrigation development and consisted of wide irrigated area in the country. It was dominated by two exclusive production systems of the pastorals and irrigated crop farming. The irrigation development brought environmental and socio economic impacts to the area and people living in the area before the irrigation development. The irrigation project in an area included different economic, social and environmental variables that hold the attention of the study made in an area. The study was conducted to assess the environmental and socio-economic impacts as a result of the irrigation development. It used primary data, for grounrwater and soil salinity analysis and secondary data from long term records of surface flow and ground water level for the flood analysis, while production data and land productivity were used for economic analysis . • There were many positive impacts with regards to socio cultural social services changes in the Afar community and improve livelihood of community, who get employment. On the other side it has negative impact on the pastoral production system through loss of natural pasture and change in the social system (mobility, population density). Environmental degradation through shallow groundwater table and soil salinization, deforestation, changes in flow characteristics and inundation. This study recommend improved irrigation system through double and government intervention in assisting the pastoralists to practice irrigated crop farming lead settled and secured life . Also recommend Gamma and Pearson type 111 distribution for flood prediction at Melka Sadi gauging site to minimize acci dental flooding risk in the study area.