Abstract
Local irrigation institutions are crucial for effectively managing and sustaining irrigation schemes. This study assessed the farmers' perceptions on technical and irrigation water user associations' (IWUAs) management performance of selected irrigation schemes in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Four small-scale irrigation (SSI) schemes, namely, Furfuro, Murtute, Bedene Alemtena (hereafter referred to as Bedene), and Sibisto, were selected for this study. Data were collected using scheme performance reports, household surveys, key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGD) with various stakeholders, and field observations. Results showed that the reliability and water delivery performance of Furfuro and Sibisto were rated as good by 52% and 41% of respondents, respectively, and poor by 22% and 25%. In Murtute and Bedene, 73% and 51% of respondents, respectively, said that the reliability and water delivery performance were poor, and 11% and 21% rated them as good. Similarly, in Murtute and Bedene, 32% and 37% of respondents, respectively, said that the water allocation was seriously unfair, and 50% and 43% said that they occasionally see unfairness. Although the severity of the problems varies between schemes, the operation, maintenance, and water allocation systems of all schemes were unsatisfactory. The general observation of participants in FGD, KII, and household surveys indicated that the IWUAs were unable to manage the schemes based on the outlined rules and regulations. Lack of training and financial constraints affected the IWUA's ability to manage the schemes properly. In general, poor market access, high input costs, and inefficient irrigation management systems impacted the irrigation production in the study area.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability statement
The data sets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Agide Z, Haileslassie A, Sally H, Erkossa T, Schmitter P, Langan S, Hoekstra D (2016) Analysis of water delivery performance of smallholder irrigation schemes in Ethiopia : diversity and lessons across schemes, typologies and reaches. In: LIVES Working Paper 15. International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi
Amare A, Simane B (2017) Determinants of smallholder farmers’ decision to adopt adaptation options to climate change and variability in the Muger Sub basin of the Upper Blue Nile basin of Ethiopia. Agric Food Secur. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-017-0144-2
Amede T (2015) Technical and institutional attributes constraining the performance of small-scale irrigation in Ethiopia. Water Resour Rural Dev 6:78–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wrr.2014.10.005
Awulachew SB, Ayana M (2011) Performance of irrigation: an assessment at different scales in Ethiopia. Exp Agric 47:57–69. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479710000955
Awulachew SB, Yilma AD, Loulseged M, Loiskandl W, Ayana M, Alamirew T (2007) Water resources and irrigation development in Ethiopia. In: IWMI Working Paper 123. International Water Management Institute. 78p. Colombo, Sri Lanka
Awulachew S, Erkossa T, Namara R (2010) Irrigation potential in Ethiopia: constraints and opportunities for enhancing the system. In: Research Report. International Water Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Balana BB, Bizimana JC, Richardson JW, Lefore N, Adimassu Z, Herbst BK (2020) Economic and food security effects of small-scale irrigation technologies in northern Ghana. Water Res Econ. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wre.2019.03.001
Bekele AE (2014) Five key constraints to small scale irrigation development in Ethiopia: socio-economic view. Global Adv Res J Manag Bus Stud 3:441–444
Belete B, Mekonen A, Seleshi B (2008) Across system comparative assessment of irrigation performance of community managed scheme in southern Ethiopia. In: Draft proceeding of the Symposium and Exhibition. Addis Ababa Ethiopia, 27–29 November, 2007
Emana B, Afari-Sefa V, Dinssa FF, Ayana A, Balemi T, Temesgen M (2015) Characterization and assessment of vegetable production and marketing systems in the humid tropics of Ethiopia. Quart J Int Agric 54:163–187
FAO and IFC (2015) Ethiopia: irrigation market brief. In: Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and International Finance Corporation (IFC), Rome
FAOAQUASTAT (2016) AQUASTAT Country Profile—Ethiopia. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). FAOAQUASTAT reports, Rome
FDRE (1994) Water resources utilization proclamation no. 92/1994. https://www.ecolex.org/details/legislation/water-resources-utilization-proclamation-no-921994-lex-faoc004828/.
FDRE (2000) Proclamation, no. 197/2000. Federal democratice republic of Ethiopia (FDRE). Ethiopian water resources management proclamation
FDRE (2014) Irrigation water users’ associations proclamation no. 841/2014. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Feleke E, Assefa E, Zeleke T (2020) Effects of small scale irrigation on household income and its implication for livelihood sustainability in the drought prone central rift valley of Ethiopia. J Sustain Dev Afr 22
Gebul MA (2021) Trend, status, and challenges of irrigation development in Ethiopia—a review. Sustain (Switzerl ). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105646
Haileslassie A, Hagos F, Agide Z, Tesema E, Hoekstra D, Langan S (2016) Institutions for irrigation water management in Ethiopia: Assessing diversity and service delivery. In: LIVES Working Paper 17. International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi
IFAD (2018) Impact of modern irrigation on household production and welfare outcomes. In: Evidence from the Participatory Small-Scale Irrigation Development Programme (PASIDP) project in Ethiopia. IFAD Research Serious 31
Kassie AE (2020) Challenges and opportunities of irrigation practices in Ethiopia: a review. J Eng Res Rep 4:1–12. https://doi.org/10.9734/jerr/2019/v9i317016
Lempériere P, Hagos F, Lefore N, Haileslassie A, Langan S (2014) Establishing and strengthening irrigation water users associations (IWUAs) in Ethiopia: a manual for trainers. International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, pp 76. https://doi.org/10.5337/2014.232
Magistro J, Roberts M, Haggblade S, Kramer F, Polak P, Weight E, Yoder R (2007) A model for pro-poor wealth creation through small-plot irrigation and market linkages. Irrig Drain 56:321–334. https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.300
MoA (2011) Small-scale irrigation situation analysis and capacity needs assessment: ministry of agriculture natural resources management directorate, Addis Ababa
MoFED (2010) The federal democratic Republic of Ethiopia, growth and transformation plan (GTP) 2010/11–2014/15. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ostad-Ali-Askari, K. et al. (2017) Chapter No. 18: Deficit irrigation: optimization models. In: Management of Drought and Water Scarcity. Handbook of Drought and Water Scarcity, Vol. 3. Taylor & Francis Publisher, CRC Press, pp 373–389. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315226774
Sagri M, Bartolini C, Billi P, Ferrari G, Benvenuti M, Carnicelli S, Barbano F (2008) Latest Pleistocene and Holocene river network evolution in the Ethiopian Lakes Region. Geomorphology 94:79–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2007.05.010
Tebeba M, Ayana M (2015) Hydraulic performance evaluation of hare community managed irrigation hydraulic performance evaluation of Hare Community Managed Irrigation Scheme, Southern, Ethiopia. Int Res J Eng Technol (IRJET) 2:900–909
Tekle A (2015) Assessment of climate change impact on water availability of bilate watershed, ethiopian rift valley basin. In: IEEE AFRICON Conference. https://doi.org/10.1109/AFRCON.2015.7332041
Teshome Y, Biazin B, Wolka K, Burka A (2018) Evaluating performance of traditional surface irrigation techniques in Cheleleka watershed in Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Appl Water Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-018-0862-z
Ulsido MD, Alemu E (2014) Irrigation water management in small scale irrigation schemes: the case of the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lake Basin. Environ Res Eng Manag. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.67.1.6240
Ulsido MD, Demisse EA, Gebul MA, Bekelle AE (2013) Environmental impacts of small scale irrigation schemes: evidence from Ethiopian Rift Valley Lake Basins. Environ Res Eng Manag 63:17–29. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.63.1.3401
Van Halsema GE, Keddi Lencha B, Assefa M, Hengsdijk H, Wesseler J (2011) Performance assessment of smallholder irrigation in the central rift valley of Ethiopia. Irrig Drain 60:622–634. https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.613
Wang J, Huang J, Zhang L, Huang Q, Rozelle S (2010) Water governance and water use efficiency: the five principles of WUA management and performance in China. J Am Water Resour Assoc 46:665–685. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00439.x
Yami M (2013) Sustaining participation in irrigation systems of Ethiopia: what have we learned about water user associations? Water Policy 15:961–984. https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2013.031
Yami M (2016) Irrigation projects in Ethiopia: what can be done to enhance effectiveness under “challenging contexts”? Int J Sust Dev World 23:132–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2015.1057628
Yami M, Snyder K (2012) Improving sustainability of impacts of agricultural water management interventions in challenging contexts. Project report. International Water Management Institute, Addis Ababa. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.5082.3289
Yohannes DF, Ritsema CJ, Solomon H, Froebrich J, van Dam JC (2017) Irrigation water management: Farmers’ practices, perceptions and adaptations at Gumselassa irrigation scheme, North Ethiopia. Agric Water Manag 191:16–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2017.05.009
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA)/German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for supporting this study. We wish to thank Siltie, Alaba, and Gurage zonal and district level agriculture and irrigation management institutions for their cooperation during field data collection. We are also grateful to the Worabe Agricultural Research Center for providing a vehicle to collect the field data.
Funding
The field data collection for this study was funded by Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA)/German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
KW has led the general research activities like proposing the study, data collection, and writing up of the full manuscript. AH, ST and AT have read and checked the manuscript and have made necessary corrections.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Wabela, K., Hammani, A., Tekleab, S. et al. Farmers’ perception on technical and irrigation water user associations (IWUAs) performance of selected small-scale irrigation schemes in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 10, 9 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-023-00989-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-023-00989-x