Groundwater utilization practices for irrigation systems in east Hararghe zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Groundwater irrigation plays a critical role to improve food security and livelihoods of rural communities. However, proper utilization of groundwater remains a major constraint for farmers involved in irrigated agriculture. Therefore, this study has explored groundwater utilization practices for irrigation systems among farmers of east Hararghe zone, Ethiopia. Six kebeles from two districts were randomly selected for the study. Quantitative data was collected using an interview schedule from 300 households. Qualitative data was collected using key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize demographic, socio-economic, and institutional characteristics of sample households. Chi-square and F-tests were used to see the association between independent variables and irrigation systems. Survey results revealed that about 1.67, 5, 9.33, 30.67, 53.33% of households practiced irrigation systems using small streams, ponds, shallow wells, borehole, and a combination of two or more of the above water sources, respectively. Moreover, the high cost of geo-membrane, shortage of motor pumps, and lack of farm tools to construct wells and boreholes are the major problems households faced to store and utilize water. Therefore, the supports of various stakeholders to the development of small scale irrigation are essential to transform smallholder farmers from rain-fed dependent to irrigated agriculture.

Keywords

• groundwater
• irrigation systems
• perceptions
• utilization
• water storage