PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF HARGAYA SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION SCHEME, EAST HARARGHE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the performance of Hargaya irrigation scheme in the Meyu Muluke district of the East Hararghe zone, Oromia regional state. Performance of the irrigation scheme was evaluated using internal and external performance indicators, farmer’s perceptions of the scheme, institutional setup, and support services to suggest possible remedial measures for enhancing the scheme’s efficiency. The primary data was collected through the interview, questionnaire, group discussion, field observation and field test while secondary data was collected from NMI, Zone, and district agricultural offices, design documents, and literature. Internal performance indicators selected for the study were conveyance efficiency, application efficiency, storage efficiency, deep percolation ratio, distribution uniformity, and overall scheme efficiency. External indicators, including agricultural output, water supply, water delivery capacity, and physical performance indicators, have been used in the study. The results indicated that conveyance efficiency, application efficiency, storage efficiency, deep percolation ratio, distribution uniformity, and overall scheme efficiency were 43.28%, 49.03%, 83.41%, 50.97%, 61.43%, and 21.22%, respectively. The results of output per unit irrigated area, production per unit command area, output per unit irrigation supply, and output per unit water consumed were 5312.95US$/ha, 2817.03 US$/ha, 0.4 US$/m3 and 1.37 US$/m 3 respectively. Physical performance indicators; IR, SIA, and effectiveness of infrastructures were found to be 0.51, 0.52, and 0.615, respectively. The results of WDP, RWS, and RIS were 3.2, 4.0, and 5.3, respectively. According to HH survey, WUAs organizational and legal enforcement bylaws at the scheme were not effective. Based on the result of the study, to improve performance of Hargaya irrigation scheme; rehabilitation of left main canal, reduce water diverted to the scheme, lining of main canal, mobilizing community participation in operation and maintenance, and application of WUA proclamation can enhance performance of the scheme