Performance Evaluation of Farmers Managed Small-Scale Irrigation: The Case of Fultino Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme in Ada'a District of East Shoa, Oromia

Abstract

The critical purpose of small-scale irrigation scheme performance evaluation is to determine overall performance or to determine the satisfaction level of the scheme or not and, if not, which and where different actions need to be taken in order to remedy the condition. It should offer understandings into the process of irrigation so that managers, farmers, and planners can do activities in new, more fruitful and efficient ways. The major objective of this study was to evaluate the overall performance of Fultino small scale irrigation scheme using selected IWMI performance evaluation indicators from February 2017 to November 2017. Primary data were collected from five water users’ association field based at the upper, middle, and downstream of the main canal. Discharge measurements and soil sample analysis were conducted, and secondary data were collected from Ada`a Woreda Bureau of Agriculture, Water, Energy and Mine and Transport and Administration. CROPWAT 8.0 computer model was used to calculate the crop water requirements, rainfall and effective rainfall. From the analysis of data, the indicative values of the output per unit command area for Fultino were 12,600,000 Birr/ha. Similarly the output per unit cultivated area for the scheme was 9,521,897 Birr/ha obtained from the major crops, namely onion, tomato, pepper, maize and sugarcane. The output per unit water consumed was 12.8 Birr/m3 and the results of application efficiency, distribution efficiency, conveyance efficiency and water productivity are 75%, 73.4%, 75.96% and 4.314 kg/m3, respectively. Conferring to these findings, it can be concluded that expected results are not such a satisfactory in case of water distribution efficiency, conveyance efficiency and water allocation and equity. It is recommended that all activities in the irrigation system should be monitored and checked, technical requirements should be met, training and extension should be enhanced, evaluation should be performed on a seasonal basis and the results should be delivered to the important stakeholders and organizations with well-organized monitoring and evaluation system. Water users associations and cooperatives that embark on the operation and management of irrigation scheme should be authorized.