Bewässerungs- und Entwässerungssystemtechnik

Evaluation of Water Delivery Performance in Robit Small- Scale Irrigation Scheme, Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abrha Ybeyn Gebremedhn1* and Pratap Singh2

Ethiopia has expanded irrigable areas by constructing many small-scale irrigation schemes. These are aimed to improve the productivity of agricultural crops. However, they commonly perform far below the intended objectives. This is mostly because the performance of the irrigation schemes has not been managed well. In the present study, the water delivery performance and the satisfaction of irrigation users for Robit small-scale irrigation scheme were evaluated. The water delivery performance indicators; adequacy, efficiency, equity, and dependability were evaluated by monitoring discharge at nine selected tertiary offtakes for three months during 2017. The irrigation water flow was measured using Current meter and 3-inch Parshall flume. Questionnaire was developed to assess the satisfaction level of irrigation users regarding the irrigation service received. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using STATA, CROPWAT, ARC GIS, and Microsoft Excel. The adequacy, efficiency, equity, and dependability values varied widely regarding location (from head to tail end of the scheme) as well over time (from April to June). Thus, when compared with Molden and Gates standards, the scheme was performing under a “fair” condition with adequacy and dependability and under “good” condition regarding efficiency and equity. The level of irrigation users' satisfaction with the irrigation service received was 57.33%, 48%, 42.67% and 49.33% at the head, middle, tail reaches, and the entire system respectively. Satisfaction of irrigation users was associated with the variation in the general availability of water, availability over time and farm location respective to the head canal.