Institutions, Management Practices and Challenges of Small-Scale Irrigation Systems in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Two Small-Scale Irrigation Systems in Western Oromia, Ethiopia

Dejene, Shimelis (2006) Institutions, Management Practices and Challenges of Small-Scale Irrigation Systems in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Two Small-Scale Irrigation Systems in Western Oromia, Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

[img] PDF (Institutions, Management Practices and Challenges of Small-Scale Irrigation Systems in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Two Small-Scale Irrigation Systems in Western Oromia, Ethiopia)
Dejene, Shimelis.pdf - Accepted Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This paper examines the present state of irrigation management in Gibe Lemu and Gambela- Terre Small-Scale Irrigation Systems. The main focus of the study was to bridge the information gap with special reference to the institutional context, management practices and constraints of the selected irrigation systems. Key informant and expert interview, group discussion, observation and household interview were used to collect data. Findings revealed that the irrigation systems have been poorly managed. There was poor performance in managing water distribution in terms of the three indicators: adequacy, reliability and equity in water distribution. There is widespread water dispute but not settled yet. The Gambela Terre SSIS was poorly maintained and the structures deteriorated. Less than 80 % (in Gibe Lemu) and 40% (in Gambela Terre) of the developed irrigable land was under irrigation. There were institutional, organizational, socioeconomic, socio-cultural and hydraulic (decline in water supply) problems that impeded effective and lasting WUA-committee irrigation management and led to underutilization of the developed resources. Findings of the study also indicated that irrigation had positively impacted diversification and intensification of crop production and household income during the initial years of project implementation and it was significantly different between irrigation systems and among head-end, middle and tailend farmers within irrigation system. The change to diversified and intensified horticultural production and the income from irrigation could not be sustained and many irrigators either do not regularly cultivate vegetable, suspended the diversified irrigated vegetable production, or shifted to perennial horticultural crops and in Gambela Terre, to the former cereal production (mono-cropping) under rain-fed. The constraints were scarcity and unreliability of water, lack of necessary inputs and institutional, management and socioeconomic problems. Finally, the paper draws a number of conclusions about requirements in the readjustment of the surveyed irrigation systems and in the design of irrigation projects of these types.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Tim Khabala
Date Deposited: 27 Aug 2018 12:42
Last Modified: 27 Aug 2018 12:42
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/8520

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item