WOLLO UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, CIVIL AND WATER RESOURCE AND

IRRIGATION ENGINERRING

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION:.........................................................................................................................iii

OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................................................iii

1 REVIEW/ASSESS THE NUMBER OF LARGE SCALE, MEDIUM SCALE AND SMALL

SCALE IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN ETHIOPIA THAT ARE FUNCTIONAL, SEMI
FUNCTIONAL AND NON-FUNCTIONAL. DISCUSS THE MAJOR PROBLEMS SEEN ON
EACH IRRIGATION SCALE TYPES...........................................................................................1

1.1 LARGE-SCALE IRRIGATION PROJECTS...................................................................1

1.2 MEDIUM-SCALE IRRIGATION PROJECTS................................................................1

1.3 SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION PROJECTS...................................................................2

1.4 COMMON PROBLEMS ACROSS IRRIGATION SCALES..........................................2

2 What are the strategies developed for short, medium and long-term periods of irrigation and
drainage water management in all agro-ecologies of Ethiopia........................................................3

2.1 SHORT TERM..................................................................................................................3

2.2 MEDIUM TERM..............................................................................................................3

2.3 LONG TERM....................................................................................................................4

2.4 DRAINAGE WATER MANAGEMENT IN VARIOUS AGRO-ECOLOGIES OF

ETHIOPIA:..................................................................................................................................4

3 Discuss the performances of irrigation schemes (Large, Medium, Small scale) in Ethiopia.
Specifically address issues on the irrigation water delivery and agricultural productivity..............5

3.1 LARGE-SCALE................................................................................................................5

3.2 MEDIUM-SCALE............................................................................................................6

3.3 SMALL-SCALE................................................................................................................6

4 SUMMERY..............................................................................................................................6

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INTRODUCTION:

Irrigation plays a significant role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food
security in Ethiopia. The country has a mix of large-scale, medium-scale, and small-scale
irrigation projects aimed at improving water access for farmers. However, the functionality of
these projects varies, with some facing challenges that hinder their effectiveness. This analysis
aims to review and assess the status of large-scale, medium-scale, and small-scale irrigation
projects in Ethiopia, examining their functionality and identifying major problems. Additionally,
the strategies developed for short, medium, and long-term irrigation and drainage water
management in various agro-ecologies of Ethiopia will be explored.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Review and assess the number of functional, semi-functional, and non-functional large-scale,
medium-scale, and small-scale irrigation projects in Ethiopia.

2. Identify the major problems faced by each type of irrigation scale, including issues related to
infrastructure, water availability, maintenance, and community participation.

3. Explore the strategies developed for short, medium, and long-term periods of irrigation and
drainage water management across different agro-ecologies in Ethiopia.

4. Discuss the performance of irrigation schemes in Ethiopia, focusing on irrigation water

delivery and agricultural productivity in large-scale, medium-scale, and small-scale projects.

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1 REVIEW/ASSESS THE NUMBER OF LARGE SCALE, MEDIUM
SCALE AND SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN ETHIOPIA
THAT ARE FUNCTIONAL, SEMI FUNCTIONAL AND NON-
FUNCTIONAL. DISCUSS THE MAJOR PROBLEMS SEEN ON EACH
IRRIGATION SCALE TYPES.

1.1 LARGE-SCALE IRRIGATION PROJECTS

Functional: Large-scale irrigation projects in Ethiopia are typically managed by the government
or large agricultural enterprises. These projects often have better infrastructure and management
systems in place, resulting in higher functionality rates. However, challenges such as water
scarcity, inefficient water distribution, and inadequate maintenance can still lead to issues.

Semi-functional: Some large-scale irrigation projects may face issues such as inadequate funding
for maintenance, lack of skilled personnel, or political instability, leading to reduced
functionality. These projects might still operate to some extent but not at their full capacity.

Non-functional: Large-scale irrigation projects may become non-functional due to various

reasons such as lack of maintenance, infrastructure damage, or mismanagement. These projects
might not be operational at all, leading to wastage of resources and potential negative impacts on
local communities.

1.2 MEDIUM-SCALE IRRIGATION PROJECTS:

Functional: Medium-scale irrigation projects are often community-managed or privately owned.

Functional medium-scale projects benefit from community involvement, which can lead to better
maintenance and utilization of resources. However, challenges such as limited technical
expertise and funding constraints can still affect functionality.

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Semi-functional: Some medium-scale irrigation projects may struggle with issues such as
inadequate water supply, poor infrastructure, or conflicts over water rights, leading to reduced
functionality. These projects might still serve the community to some extent but may not fully
meet their needs.

Non-functional: Medium-scale irrigation projects can become non-functional due to factors such
as equipment failure, lack of community engagement, or environmental degradation. These
projects may cease to operate, depriving communities of vital water resources for agriculture.

1.3 SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION PROJECTS:

Functional: Small-scale irrigation projects are often managed by individual farmers or small
groups. Functional small-scale projects play a crucial role in supporting smallholder farmers and
enhancing their resilience to climate change. However, challenges such as access to credit,
technical knowledge, and market linkages can affect their sustainability.

Semi-functional: Some small-scale irrigation projects may face challenges such as water
scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, or land tenure issues, leading to reduced functionality. These
projects may still provide some benefits to farmers but may not operate optimally.

Non-functional: Small-scale irrigation projects can become non-functional due to reasons such as
lack of maintenance, drought, or conflicts over water resources. These projects may fail to
provide the intended benefits to farmers, impacting their livelihoods

1.4 COMMON PROBLEMS ACROSS IRRIGATION SCALES:

1. Water scarcity: Ethiopia faces challenges related to water scarcity, especially in arid and
semi-arid regions, which can affect the functionality of irrigation projects across all scales.

2. Infrastructure deficiencies: Many irrigation projects suffer from inadequate infrastructure

such as dams, canals, and water storage facilities, which can hinder their effectiveness.

3. Poor management: Mismanagement, corruption, and lack of accountability can lead to

inefficiencies and resource wastage in irrigation projects.

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4. Environmental degradation: Improper land use practices and water management can lead to
soil erosion, salinization, and depletion of groundwater resources, affecting the sustainability of
irrigation projects.

5. Climate change impacts: Increasing frequency and severity of droughts, floods, and erratic
rainfall patterns due to climate change pose significant challenges to irrigation projects in
Ethiopia.

2 What are the strategies developed for short, medium and long-term
periods of irrigation and drainage water management in all agro-ecologies
of Ethiopia.

In short-term irrigation and drainage water management in Ethiopia, strategies may include
efficient water use through drip or sprinkler systems. In the medium term, optimizing crop
selection based on water availability and implementing soil conservation practices can be
emphasized. For the long term, sustainable water resource development, watershed management,
and infrastructure improvements can play crucial roles in ensuring effective irrigation and
drainage across various agro-ecologies in Ethiopia.

2.1 SHORT TERM

In the short term, emphasis is placed on immediate actions like implementing efficient water use
technologies such as drip or sprinkler irrigation to maximize water efficiency. it suggests
immediate actions like adopting water-efficient technologies such as drip or sprinkler irrigation.

2.2 MEDIUM TERM

For the medium term, the focus shifts towards strategies that require more planning and
implementation time, such as optimizing crop selection based on water availability and
introducing soil conservation practices to enhance water retention and minimize erosion.

In the medium term, the focus is on implementing practices that require planning and execution,
such as selecting crops suited to available water resources and introducing soil conservation
methods to improve water retention and prevent erosion.

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The medium-term strategies involve more planning, focusing on optimizing crop selection based
on water availability and introducing soil conservation practices.

2.3 LONG TERM

In the long term, the approach becomes more holistic, with strategies aimed at sustainable water
resource development and management. This includes watershed management initiatives to
protect water sources, as well as large-scale infrastructure improvements to ensure reliable water
supply for irrigation across different agro-ecologies.

Long-term strategies concentrate on sustainable water resource development and management,

including initiatives like watershed management to safeguard water sources and large-scale
infrastructure enhancements to ensure reliable water supply for irrigation purposes.

For the long term, the approach becomes more comprehensive, emphasizing sustainable water
resource development through watershed management and large-scale infrastructure
improvements.

2.4 DRAINAGE WATER MANAGEMENT IN VARIOUS AGRO-ECOLOGIES OF

ETHIOPIA:

1. High land Agro-Ecology:

In the highland areas of Ethiopia, drainage water management is essential to prevent

waterlogging and soil erosion, especially during the rainy season. Terracing and contour
bundling are common practices to control surface water runoff and prevent soil erosion.
Drainage channels and ditches are constructed to divert excess water away from fields and
prevent waterlogging. Proper land leveling techniques are employed to ensure efficient water
drainage and prevent stagnant water in fields.

2. Mid land Agro-Ecology:

In the midland areas, drainage water management focuses on improving soil structure and
reducing waterlogging in agricultural fields. Subsurface drainage systems, such as tile drains or
French drains, are used to remove excess water from the root zone and improve soil aeration.
Conservation tillage practices are promoted to enhance water infiltration and reduce surface
runoff in midland agro-ecologies. Integrated watershed management approaches are
implemented to address erosion control and sustainable water use.

3. Low land Agro-Ecology:

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Drainage water management in lowland areas is crucial for controlling salinity levels and
preventing water stagnation in fields. Constructed wetlands and drainage ponds are utilized to
treat and manage excess water while promoting biodiversity in lowland agro-ecologies.
Sustainable land use planning is implemented to minimize the impact of flooding events and
ensure efficient water drainage in lowland agricultural areas. Water harvesting techniques, such
as check dams and reservoirs, are employed to capture and store excess runoff for irrigation
purposes in lowland agro-ecologies.

4. Dry land Agro-Ecology:

In dry land areas, drainage water management is focused on optimizing water use efficiency and
minimizing soil salinity. Rainwater harvesting techniques, such as micro-catchments and sand
dams, are utilized to capture and store rainwater for crop production in dry land agro-ecologies.
Soil moisture conservation practices, including mulching and conservation tillage, are
implemented to reduce evaporation and improve water retention in dry land agricultural systems.
Integrated crop-livestock-water management approaches are promoted to enhance resilience to
drought conditions and ensure sustainable water use in dry land agro-ecologies.

3 Discuss the performances of irrigation schemes (Large, Medium, Small

scale) in Ethiopia. Specifically address issues on the irrigation water
delivery and agricultural productivity.

In Ethiopia, irrigation schemes vary in scale, ranging from large-scale projects to medium and
small-scale initiatives. Each scale of irrigation scheme has its own performance characteristics
and impacts on irrigation water delivery and agricultural productivity.

3.1 LARGE-SCALE

Large-scale irrigation schemes in Ethiopia, such as those along the Awash River, have been
instrumental in providing consistent water delivery to agricultural lands. These schemes often
involve the construction of dams and reservoirs to capture and store water for distribution. The
centralized management of water resources allows for efficient allocation to large areas of
farmland, leading to increased agricultural productivity. However, challenges may arise in terms
of equitable distribution of water among different user groups and potential environmental
impacts such as changes in river flow patterns and habitat disruption.

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3.2 MEDIUM-SCALE

Medium-scale irrigation schemes typically serve smaller geographic areas compared to large-
scale projects but still have significant impacts on local agricultural productivity. These schemes
often involve the development of irrigation canals and small reservoirs to deliver water to farms.
While they may not have the same scale of infrastructure as large projects, medium-scale
schemes can still enhance agricultural yields by providing reliable access to water during dry
periods. However, issues such as maintenance and management of irrigation infrastructure and
equitable water distribution among farmers can affect the performance of these schemes.

3.3 SMALL-SCALE

Small-scale irrigation schemes, including community-managed projects and individual farmer

initiatives, play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity, particularly in remote and
marginal areas of Ethiopia. These schemes often utilize simple technologies such as small
pumps, drip irrigation systems, and rainwater harvesting techniques to irrigate crops. While they
may have lower water delivery capacities compared to larger schemes, small-scale initiatives are
characterized by their flexibility, affordability, and ability to empower local communities.
However, challenges such as limited access to financing, technical expertise, and potential
conflicts over water rights can hinder the effectiveness of small-scale irrigation projects.

4 SUMMERY

While Ethiopia has made significant investments in irrigation infrastructure across different
scales, various challenges such as water scarcity, infrastructure deficiencies, poor management,
and climate change impacts persist, affecting the functionality of these projects. Addressing these
challenges requires a holistic approach involving sustainable water management practices,
community participation, capacity building, and policy support.

Overall, these strategies are tailored to address the varying needs and challenges of irrigation and
drainage water management in Ethiopia, promoting sustainability and resilience in agricultural
production systems.
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Overall, the performances of irrigation schemes in Ethiopia depend on various factors such as
scale, infrastructure, management practices, and socio-economic context. While large-scale
projects can provide significant benefits in terms of water delivery and agricultural productivity,
medium and small-scale schemes also have important roles to play, particularly in reaching
underserved communities and promoting sustainable agriculture. Effective management and
governance are essential for maximizing the potential of irrigation schemes and ensuring
equitable access to water resources for all stakeholders.

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