Challenges and Opportunities of Irrigation Practices in Ethiopia, a Review

Authors(1) :-Anmut Enawgaw Kassie

Irrigation practices were long been in use during ancient times with unspecified beginning period. However, Irrigation was not likely a driving force for the initiation of ancient civilization in Ethiopia. Since 1950’s modern irrigation was introduced at the Awash and Rift Valley basins for production of commercial crops. Government, donors and non-governmental organizations are investing in development irrigation systems in Ethiopia from small to large scale irrigation schemes. As a result, irrigation is developing rapidly. However, its contribution to the national economy is not significant when compared to rain-fed agriculture. This review was conducted to investigate the irrigation practice challenges and opportunities in Ethiopia. The extension service was inadequate and not packaged. Credit service bureaucracy like group collateral was constrained to improve irrigated crop production. Water governance was done by water users but interference by the government bodies aggravated water use conflicts. Streams drying, percolation and seepage of water are the most challenges. Irrigation created employment opportunity for household members and the rural community, and also improved their income. Therefore, policy makers and development practitioners should improve policies and strategies based on the agro-ecology and socio-economic settings of irrigation areas to alleviate the challenges, and strengthen the opportunities.

Authors and Affiliations

Anmut Enawgaw Kassie
Department of Natural Resources Management, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia

Challenge, Ethiopia, Irrigation, Opportunity, Review.

  1. Abebaw and Mesefen, 2016. Challenges and Opportunities of Small-Scale Irrigation Utilization in Rift Valley Basin, Humbo Woreda, Ethiopia. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development. ISSN 2222-1700 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2855. Vol.7, No.1.
  2. Abonesh Tesfay, Ayalneh Bogale, Dereje Bacha and Regassa Namera, 2006. Impact of small- scale irrigation on households’ food security: Evidence from Godino and Filtino irrigation schemes in Ada Liven district, Ethiopia. J. of Irrig. Drainage Syst. 22:145-158.
  3. Abraham BG, Nata T, Bheemalingeswara K, Mokennen H (2011). Suitability of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation: A Case Study on Hand Dug Wells in Hantebet Catchment, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. J. Am. Sci. 7(8): 191-199.
  4. ADLI (1994). Agricultural Development Led Industrialization. Economic Development policy of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  5. Ali DA, Deininger K (2012). Causes and implications of credit rationing in rural Ethiopia: The importance of spatial variation. Policy Research Working paper 6096. World Bank: Washington. http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-6096.
  6. Awulachew SB, Merry J, Kamara AB, van Koppen B, Penning de Vries F, Boelee E, Makombe G (2005). Experiences and opportunities for promoting small-scale/micro irrigation and rainwater harvesting for food security in Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp. 91
  7. Awulachew, S. B.; Yilma, A. D.; Loulseged, M.; Loiskandl, W., Ayana, M.; Alamirew, T. 2007. Water Resources and Irrigation Development in Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute. 78p.
  8. Awulachew, S. B. and Mekonnen, A. (2011). Performance of irrigation: an assessment at
  9. different scales in Ethiopia. Cambridge University Press. Vol. 47 (S1), pp. 57-69. Doi:10.1017/S0014479710000955.
  10. Bacha Dereje, Regasa Namara, Ayalneh Bogale and Abonesh Tesfaye, (2011), Impact of Small-Scale Irrigation on Household Poverty: Empirical Evidence from the Ambo District in Ethiopia, Irrigation and Drainage, 60: 1-10.
  11. Bekele Y, Nata T, Bheemalingswara K (2012). Preliminary Study on the Impact of Water Quality and Irrigation Practices on Soil Salinity and Crop Production, Gergera Watershed, Atsbi-Wonberta, Tigray,Northern Ethiopia, MEJS. 4(1): 29-46.
  12. Belay, M., and Bewket, W. (2013). Traditional irrigation and water management practices in highland Ethiopia: Case study in Dangila woreda. Irrigation and Drainage, 62(4), 435-448.
  13. Berhanu, A. (2006). Effective Aid for Small Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Southern Civil Society Perspectives Ethiopia Case Study, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  14. Bitew G (2013). Status of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Nile Basin Water Science & Engineering Journal, Vol.6, Issue 1.
  15. FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization). (1997). Irrigation potential in Africa. A basin
  16. approach FAO Land and Water, Bulletin 4.
  17. FAO (2002). Irrigation Manual: Planning, Development Monitoring and Evaluation of Irrigated Agriculture with Farmer Participation. 2:7.
  18. Gebrehiwot and Rao, 2015. Opportunities and Challenges of Small-Scale Irrigation And Its Implications For Livelihood Improvement: (The Case Of Tigray Regional State, Northern Ethiopia). Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR) ISSN No: 2319-5614 Volume 4, No.4.
  19. Gebremedhin B, Pedon D (2002). Policies and institutions to enhance the impact of irrigation development in mixed crop-livestock system. In Integrated Water and Land Management Research and Capacity Building Priorities for Ethiopia, Proceedings of MoWR/EARO/IWMI/ILRI International Workshop held at ILRI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2-4 December;168-184.
  20. Gamachu and Tadele, 2018. Assessment of Status of Irrigation Practice and Utilization in Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Civil and Environmental Research. ISSN 2224-5790 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0514 (Online) Vol.10, No.5.
  21. Hagos, F., Makombe, G., Namara, R. E., Awulachew, S. B., (2009), Importance of irrigated agriculture to the Ethiopian economy: Capturing the direct net benefits of irrigation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute. 37p. (IWMI Research Report 128).
  22. Hagos Niguse (2014) Challenges and Prospects of Utilizing Irrigation Technologies: Survey of Ganta-Afeshum Woreda, Eastern Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia, Thesis. Mekelle: MU.
  23. Kalkidan and Tewodros, 2017. Review On The Role Of Small Scale Irrigation Agriculture On Poverty Alleviation In Ethiopia. North Asian International Research Journal Of Multidisciplinary Issn: 2454 - 2326 Vol. 3, Issue 6.
  24. Lijalem A (2013). Challenges and opportunities of irrigated crop production in Gedeb river catchment: Machakel Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development; Vol. 1 (1); pp. 008-022.
  25. MoA (2011a). Natural Resources Management Directorates. Small-Scale Irrigation Situation Analysis and Capacity Needs Assessment, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  26. MoA (Ministry of Agriculture) Natural Resources Sector, (2011b), Small-Scale Irrigation Capacity Building Strategy for Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  27. MoWR (2001). Irrigation Development Strategy (Component of the Water Sector Development Strategy). Draft Report. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  28. MoWIE (Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy), (2013), Water Resources of Ethiopia; The National and International Perspective, Awareness creation Program prepared for Public Relation officials, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  29. Makombe, G.; Kelemework, D.; Aredo, D., (2007), A comparative analysis of rainfed and irrigated agricultural production in Ethiopia. Irrigation and Drainage Systems 21: 35-44.
  30. Makombe G, Namara R, Hagos F, Awulachew SB, Ayana M, Bossio D (2011). A comparative analysis of the technical efficiency of rain-fed and smallholder irrigation in Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute. pp. 37
  31. Nata T, Asmelash B (2007). Recharging Practices for the enhancement of hand dug wells discharge in Debre Kidane watershed, North Ethiopia. 4th International Work Shop on Water Management and Irrigation: Focus on ground water. Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
  32. Nata T, Asmelash B, Bheemalingeswara K (2008). Initiatives, Opportunities and Challenges in Shallow Groundwater Utilization: a Case Study from Debrekidane Watershed, Hawzien Woreda, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia, Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript LW 08 (008)X:22.
  33. PASDEP (2005). Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty. FDRE 2005/6-2009/10, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  34. Shimelis D., 2006. “Institution management and challenge of small scale irrigation system in
  35. Ethiopia: A case study of Gibe Lemu and Gambella Terre in Western Oromiya”. MSc Thesis. Addis Ababa University.
  36. Seid, Y. 2002. Small Scale Irrigation and Household Food Security: A Case Study of Three Irrigation Schemes in Gubalafto district of North-Wollo Zone Amhara Region. M.Sc Thesis, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
  37. Reddy RN (2010). Irrigation Engineering, Gene-Tech Books,New Delhi -110 002.
  38. Robel, Lambiso. 2005. Assessment of Design Practices and Performance Of Small-scale Irrigation Structures In South Region, M.Sc. Thesis, Arbaminch University, School of Graduate Studies.
  39. Yacob Wondimkun and Melaku Tefera (2005) Household Water Harvesting and Small Scale Irrigation Schemes in Amhara Region SWHISA Project Bahirdar, Ethiopia .
  40. Yazew E (2005). Development and management of irrigated lands in Tigray, Ethiopia. PhD thesis, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft, the Netherlands. pp. 265.
  41. Waganew A. 2004. Socio economic and Environmental impact assessment of community based small-scale irrigation in the upper basin . Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Available from: http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org.

Publication Details

Published in : Volume 4 | Issue 1 | January-February 2020
Date of Publication : 2020-02-10
License:  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Page(s) : 45-56
Manuscript Number : IJSRCE204117
Publisher : Technoscience Academy

ISSN : 2456-6667

Cite This Article :

Anmut Enawgaw Kassie, "Challenges and Opportunities of Irrigation Practices in Ethiopia, a Review", International Journal of Scientific Research in Civil Engineering (IJSRCE), ISSN : 2456-6667, Volume 4, Issue 1, pp.45-56, January-February.2020
URL : https://ijsrce.com/IJSRCE204117

Article Preview

Contact Us

  • Address : 3 & 4, Sterling Plaza, Indira Circle, 150 Feet Ring Road, Rajkot-360005, Gujarat, India