Status of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Bitew Genet Tassew1

1
Lecturer Bahir Dar University, Institute of Technology, School of Civil and Water Resources
Engineering P.O. Box 1004. [email protected]

Abstract

The Amhara Region debate on irrigation was concentrated on expansion of hectares under irrigation,
whilst skirting around the socio-economic effects of such investments. Attention paid to the socio-
economic impact of small-scale irrigation development although growing is still limited. This study
aims to know the status of small-scale irrigation in Amhara region and identify its economic, social and
environmental impacts.The assessment was carried out on 12 small-scale irrigation schemes in the
region through informal survey covering the farmers, DAs and woreda experts. It came out from the
study that some schemes like Tebi, Gulina, Alewha and Geray to some extent performing well and
others like MahibereGenet and Mylomy have no water totally, and Kility, Dana and Fetam actually
performing badly. From this study, the main findings were: 1) Projects that are planned with full farmer
participation perform better than those that are planned by experts on their own, 2) Projects planned by
consultants without Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) experience have operational problems, and 3)
Projects which draw participants from different backgrounds may have internal problems and usually
suffer from lack of group cohesion.Major constraints of the projects are: design, construction and
operation and maintenance like technical constraints, handing over, theft and vandalism of control
structures and lack of monitoring and evaluation. Sedimentation of reservoirs has direct and indirect
effects on irrigation practices. Study from sedimentation of 9 reservoirs in the region shows reduction
of 7 ha annually from 2004 – 2025. This implies that about 1.887 MCM sediment will be accumulated
in all reservoirs displacing equal volumes of irrigation water. This will be equivalent to abandoning of
about 151 ha of irrigable land before achieving their economic life.

Key words: participatory, reservoirs, schemes, sedimentation; Small-scale irrigation.

1. INTRODUCTION

The irrigated agriculture sector is facing increasing challenges in the face of rapid population growth,
decreasing availability of land, and competition for scarce water resources. Due to decreasing
investments and declining performance of many large-scale irrigation schemes, interest has been
developing in recent years for seeking ways to improve the productivity and livelihoods of the world’s
small-scale schemes. At the same time, smallholders are capable of managing irrigation systems
efficiently provided they have access to affordable technologies that are easy to operate, maintain and
repair. Small-scale systems and technologies are attractive since they put the operation, maintenance
and management of systems directly in the hands of the individual farmers, thus eliminating any need
for centralized control or management.

The previous focus on large-scale conventional schemes in Ethiopia with few baseline studies has led
to disappointing results: Among others are low physical productivity resulting from poor management,
soil salinization and other environmental problems, and in some cases abandonment of schemes
(Penning de Vries et al., 2002; McCornick et al., 2003; Tilahun and Paulos, 2004). These disappointing
experiences have been the primary reasons for the recent focus on exploiting opportunities associated
with investments in Small-Scale Irrigation (SSI), Micro-Irrigation (MI) and Rain Water Harvesting
(RWH). However, given the complex set of constraints that often face smallholder production,
experience has shown that providing irrigation water alone is not enough; smallholder farmers also
require a broad range of institutional support services (access to inputs, credits, output markets),
capacity to manage and maintain the acquired technologies, etc. Achieving reasonable poverty
reduction and food security impacts requires access to support services and opportunities for
diversifying production to include high value crops, institutional linkages, access to markets and credit,
etc. This is beyond the narrow scope of just proving irrigation water. There is accruing evidence that
these conditions remained largely unmet by most irrigation interventions in Ethiopia (IWMI, 2004a).

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Status of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The Awash and Tekeze river basins are the two important basins for irrigation in Ethiopia. The Awash
is the most developed with large-scale and small-scale irrigation schemes located along its banks. In
the Tekeze, recently built small micro-earth dams and ponds provide supplementary irrigation and
supply of water for both livestock and people. In the Tekeze and Awash areas, hundreds of micro-dams
have been constructed to provide domestic water; water for livestock and water for food crop and
animal feed production. However, many problems are associated with irrigation in these basins. They
include soil salinisation, sedimentation of dams, up-slope erosion, water contamination and increased
water-borne disease, and poor design leading to water loss through leakage and evaporation (ILRI,
2003). Increased malaria and schistosomiasis are all too common. There are many cases where micro-
dams were completely filled with sediments during the first rainy season after construction so they
cannot be used for one subsequent dry season (ILRI, 2003). As such abandonment of micro-dams is on
the rise.

Small-scale irrigation system in Amhara region comprises about 75% of the region’s total improved
irrigated area. Enhancing their efficiency therefore is a key element of regional agricultural
development. Accordingly, government policy has recognized farmer participation as an important
strategy towards more efficient irrigation. As a result, for their eventual management, all implemented
schemes are formally handed over to beneficiary farmers upon the end of construction phase. In line
with this, the partial or full construction of no less than 30 irrigation projects has been accomplished
since the official set up of the regional government in 1995. For around twenty of these projects, all the
headwork and farm structure works have been fully completed and hence they have been formally
handed over to the beneficiary farmers (COSAERAR, 1999). However, the follow-up of these
schemes, especially with regard to operation and maintenance, cropping systems, water utilization,
economic and financial success etc. have not been well studied and documented. Successive field visits
have shown that a common problem in most of government constructed irrigation schemes in the
region is the continuous cycle of irrigation system construction, followed by deterioration of the system
because of inadequate maintenance. Due to this all the economic, physical, environmental and other
benefits that irrigation could contribute towards the positive improvements of agriculture in the region
have not yet been fully realized. Based on the above constraints of the irrigated agriculture in the
region, this study was focused on conducting preliminary assessment on status of selected small-scale
irrigation projects in the region.

2. METHODOLOGY

2.1. The Amhara Region and Its Small-Scale Irrigation

The Amhara region is located in the northern part of Ethiopia with a total area of 170,752 square
kilometers (km2). The region has a common boundary with Tigray in the north, Oromiya in the south,
the Afar region in the east and the country Sudan in the west (Figure 1). It extends from 8045’N to
13030’N latitude and from 360 E to 40045’ E longitude. The majority of the people living in the
highlands are traditionally subsistence grain farmers with surplus production farmers constituting quite
some portion of the high land.

The fluvial patterns created by the high mountains and the mountains plateau with spectacular
configuration ranging from 2000 up to 4620 meters above sea level feature the dominant topographic
glamour of the country. The north and central massive of the Semen Mountains and high land plateau
of Gojjam, Gondar and North Shewa, together with Eastern Highlands of Wollo are the main feature of
the North western high lands of the country which is also part of the region.The region is characterized
by its huge plateau and mountain ranges dissected by numerous stream and rivers, which are the
tributaries of Blue Nile, Tekeze and Awash. The north and northwestern low lands and the valley
plains of the eastern portion of the region are vast land mass extremely suitable for modern agricultural
production.

The Amhara region despite its enormous land and water resources, being also the home of the largest
surface water resource potential in the country, has remained to be drought prone. This is mainly
attributed to climatic factors (the prominent element being erratic occurrence and distribution of
rainfall) in addition to backwardness of the agrarian system, migratory and local pests that added up to
poor performance in agriculture. In spite of the short rains and irregularity of rainfall, most creeks
convey a large amount of water for a considerable period of time during the rainy season. Eventhough

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Status of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

the availability of data on the rainfall-runoff relationship is limited; a large amount of surface runoff
exists in the Amhara region, which is attributed to the rugged topography and bare slopes. A recent
estimate shows about 35 billion cubic meter of runoff water is available in the region per year
(Melkamu, 1996). Almost all of the estimated volume of water is lost without any meaningful
economical or environmental use. The ever-increasing loss of fertile topsoil through different forms of
erosion and expanding destruction of forests to fuel wood and tillage have exposed a good portion of
the region to serious environmental imbalance.

Although the water resource of the region being one of the most abundantly available and that could be
easily turned into the most valuable commodity has been left untouched for the last many years. This
resource has never been consciously developed and utilized and as yet it remained the only crucial
element in transforming the primitive agrarian system as well as the major element for environmental
rehabilitation and a decisive element in enhancing agricultural production towards food self sufficiency
and economic growth. The region has an estimated 500,000 ha total potential of irrigable area in four
basins (Abay, Awash and Tekeze-Angereb river basins and Afar drainage basin) (Melkamu, 1996).

Figure 1: The Amhara Region

2.2. Methodology of the Study

A total of twelve schemes (dams and weirs), for which all the construction activities have been
completed were selected for the study. Criteria for selecting the irrigation schemes were: variation in
physical environment, available resources, level of deterioration, and operational capability. Informal
survey systems were used for the assessment and key informants, woreda office of agriculture experts
that are available in that time and the local development agents (DA) were interviewed. Moreover, a
diagnostic ‘walk through’ survey was conducted in each scheme on the headwork, farm structures as
well as on irrigated fields and pictures are also taken.

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Table 1: Description of the surveyed projects in Amhara region

No Project Location Type of Structure Structure Irrigable No. of

name Zone Woreda structure height length area Beneficiaries
(m) (m) (ha)
1. Adrako S/Gondar Ebnate Dam 20 176 75 300
2. Alewha N/Wollo Gubalafto Diversion 1.2 111 360 610
3. Dana N/Wollo Habru Dam 20 252 70 280
4. Fetam Awi Banja Diversion 6 65 400 434
5. Geray W/Gojjam Jabbitenan Diversion 4 100 618 480
6. Gimbora N/Wollo Gubalafto Diversion 1.2 22.5 310 1024
7. Gulina N/Wollo Kobo Diversion 3 - 400 1600
8. Kility W/Gojjam Achefer Diversion 3 119 290 760
b a
9. M/Genet W/Himera Sekota Dam 19.5 425 70 280
10. Mylomy W/Himera Sekota Dam 22 285 60 236
11. Sawer N/Shewa Kewet Diversion - - 191 764
12. Tebi S/Wollo Mekedella Dam - 477 200 720
Source: Commission for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Rehabilitation of Amhara Region
(COSAERAR) a = Wag Himera, b = MahibereGenet, - = information not available
Fetam Diversion

Gulina Diversion
Geray Diversion

Figure 2: Location of Diversion Structures

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Status of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Major Problems in Irrigated Agricultural Development

Based on the discussion made with irrigation experts, development agents and farmers, the problems
that brought about inefficiency on the existing schemes and the low rate of overall irrigation
development are:
• Shortage of water - the occurrence of shortage of water is either due to the reduction of the
base flow water during dry period or improper utilization of water or the wish of irrigation
beneficiaries to irrigate more land without the capacity of the source of water. This was
observed in MahibereGenet and Mylomy due to the reduction of water source and in Geray
due to poor utilization of water.
• Capital and shortage of labour - One of the problems that were identified during the study was
lack of capital to develop or maintain the schemes. Since irrigation requires labour intensive
works, shortage of labour even unskilled ones at the time of irrigation was also reported in
most of observed schemes.(As an example Gulina diversion has shortage of labour during
irrigation.)
• Agricultural input - Agricultural input supply problem occurred due to inaccessibility of the
rural areas and/or lack of credit facilities for the beneficiaries. For example in Mylomy
irrigation project shortage of insecticides and pesticides were reported by farmers to protect
their crops form insects and pests.
• Market - Market problem could occur due to inaccessibility of market service and/or due to
non-market oriented crops production. This is a problem to all observed irrigation schemes but
Tebi is well organized.
• Other problems - The other problems that affected the efficiency of the existing schemes
and/or the overall development of irrigation agriculture were lack of irrigation extension
agents or experts, lack of coordination among the users to manage the existing schemes
properly, pest problems, less construction quality of irrigation projects, lack of simple
irrigation technologies, very deep river beds, significant reduction of the base flow of most
rivers during dry seasons and inconvenient features of the farm land for development of
irrigation agriculture.

Institutional and policy issues

Water resource development, especially irrigation development is a task that requires multilateral
cooperative work between concerned parties to attain result. However, what has been witnessed during
the field visit was institutional myopia that affected operation and maintenance of many irrigation
schemes.
During the survey the following major reasons for lack of coordination was observed:
• Lack of clear statement on institutional responsibilities and accountability of SSI management
• Low level of environmental impact awareness and consideration at all levels specific to small-
scale irrigation management
• Low-level participation and consultation at all levels.

Policy issues in the visited schemes operation concentrates on land tenure, hydraulic tenure, water
rights and community participation where all the issues, in one way or another, afflicted operation and
maintenance of irrigation schemes.

3.2. Limitation of the Existing Irrigation Schemes

3.2.1 Design and construction related limitations

Up until 1995 (the establishment of COSAERAR), the study and designs for all headworks and
irrigation networks were formulated and produced at the ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation
Development Department (IDD) in Addis Ababa with a minor support from the then Regional Office at
Debre Markos. This clearly precipitated the following:
• No capacity is available or developed at site level,
• All original data, including surveying works are at the center in Addis Ababa, prohibiting
the use of such data for further use,
• During the construction stage the support on construction supervision aspect were

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extremely poor,
• No attempts are made in the need assessment including the encouragement of
participatory approach of the beneficiaries,

Shortage of construction materials like cement, reinforcement bar, etc, and consumable like
fuel/lubricants have contributed to the protracted delay.

Almost all the visited schemes (Gimbora, Alewha, Geray, Kility, etc.) are frequently vexed with
diverse technical problems usually resulting in inefficient water management systems. The following
are mentioned as examples of the problem as lack of proper layout and distribution network, long
spaced turnouts, or in other cases, absence of turnouts in essential locations seepage lines especially on
main and secondary canals, absence of scheme access, such as roads, footpaths, bridges, catch drains,
cattle watering trough, etc. Foundations on black cotton soils lack the required depth and are not treated
with compaction of selected material in their bottom, absence of discharge measuring devices on main
canals and lack of proper and timely provision of siphons in areas where they are needed.

3.2.2 Operation and maintenance related constraints

Handing over of irrigation systems to farmers, upon completion of construction, has been a standing
procedure in small-scale irrigation development. It is based on a desire to decrease the resource
burdens of the government for irrigation operation and maintenance and to enhance the long-term
sustainability of irrigation systems through local management and control.

Based on COSAERAR (1999) in handing over what is usually done is that after completion of scheme
construction, a limited number of farmers are selected for training. These are trained for 10-15 days,
and upon culmination, they are assigned as WUA leaders. The handing over process is then undertaken
with these 'farmer representatives'. Nevertheless, by the nature of the issue, a lot of problems are
embedded within the existing hand over mechanisms. The following policy issues, for instance, need
immediate response.

• What should be handed over? Which roles and tasks should be turned over to water users?
Only maintenance obligations? Or both maintenance and operation below the offtake?
• When should handover be carried out? Immediately upon completion of construction? Or
should there be a transition period of limited months?
• What should be the criteria? For deciding whether a scheme is ready for handing over or not?

The most frustrating experience in the majority of visited schemes was the very common occurrence of
theft and vandalism of irrigation structures frequently by the beneficiaries themselves. Interference
with structures that the farmer feels is imposing some constraint on his irrigation plot is
understandable, even if it affects the supply of water to others downstream. Theft of items which are
either saleable or off use on the farm or in the home (such as extracting steel rods from reinforced
concrete structures) is also very common. More difficult to understand, however, is simple vandalism,
in which there is no illicit benefit other than dubious pleasure of simple destruction.

One of the weakest links in irrigation project cycles has been the complete absence of monitoring and
evaluation activities after project hand over or when the project is in full operation. In all twelve
projects visited monitoring of technical performance especially of factors related to irrigation
efficiency is notably missing.

3.2.3 Water users associations related limitations

Lack of water laws and policies, absence of formal WUA, absence of irrigation association bylaws,
conflicts among the same and different users of water, sense of ownership and lack of accountability
are the critical limitations observed in almost all of the surveyed irrigation schemes.

3.3. Impact of Existing Irrigation Schemes on the Beneficiaries

The direct positive impact of the irrigation project on the beneficiaries is: reliable harvest, improved
yield/ha and diversification to vegetable production.

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3.4. Common Problems in Irrigation Infrastructures

The functioning of an irrigation canal network depends not only on how the network is operated, but
also on the condition of the canals and on the condition of the hydraulic structures. The most common
problems seen in structures of the surveyed projects were leakage, erosion, siltation, rot and rust.

3.4.1. Leakage

The water level upstream of a structure is higher than the downstream water level. Therefore water may
search for another way underneath or along the structure, or even through a crack in the bottom or sides
of the structure to this lower level. The Figure 3 below shows part of the diversion weir collapsed due
to scouring and Figure 4 shows the leakage on headwork of Geray irrigation project and result in water
loss and forced the weir to damage.

Figure 3: Part of Gray River Diversion

Downstream side of weir

Water lost

Water leaking point

Figure 4: Leakage on Geray River Diversion

3.4.2. Erosion and Siltation

Sections of an unlined canal immediately downstream of a structure or downstream of a lined canal

section often suffer from erosion. Downstream of a structure, the canal bed suffers from a water jet that
flows through a gate or pipe, or it will be caved in by water that spills over a weir.

The deposition of soil and debris can affect the functioning of a structure. If for instance, a stilling
basin collects soil deposits the available water mass diminishes and energy dissipation will be less
effective. Similarly, in the case of soil deposits in a flow division box, the division of the flow will be
less accurate due to imbalance in flow velocities and water levels. The same applies for intake
structures and night storages, such as the pumping stations. Large volumes of sand in the intake

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Status of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

chamber of the pumps causes damage to the pumps and will lead to sand deposits in the canal system
too. Figure 5 shows night storage of Gulina irrigation scheme, which is silted up by sediments and
misused as trough for drinking animals.

Water storage surface (Reservoir)

Sediment accumulation

Animals drinking on the night storage

Figure 5: Night Storage of Gulina Irrigation Scheme

3.4.3. Rot and Rust

Wooden and steel parts in structures suffer from being alternately wet and dry. The wooden parts will
rot and disintegrate, while steel parts will rust, expand and get jammed in the slides. All such corrosion
affects in a negative way the operation of the structures. Routine maintenance is necessary to avoid
these problems, or to reduce their effect to a minimum. Figure 6 shows an intake gate of Fetam
diversion, which is deteriorated due to rust and is not manageable to operate.

Diversion weir Overflow spillway

Unmanageable (Rusted) intake gate

Figure 6: An intake gate of Fetam Diversion

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Status of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

3.5. Problems in On-Farm Water Management

Water remains the determining factor in intensifying agricultural production. Considerable investments
in irrigation infrastructure have importantly improved the availability of water for irrigation. However,
the availability of water does not automatically increase agricultural production and there is reason for
concern as only part of the irrigation infrastructure is effectively used. There are ranges of technical,
agricultural, social and institutional factors that play a role in the disappointing performance of many
irrigation systems.

The key to intensifying and sustaining irrigated agriculture is the introduction of improved on-farm
water management conditions combined with better agricultural practices for irrigated crops. On-farm
water management integrates the various technical, agricultural, socio-economic and institutional
aspects of irrigated agriculture into one improving package.

3.5.1. Poor canal conditions

The conveyance and distribution systems consist of canals transporting the water through the whole
irrigation system. Canal structures are required for the control and measurement of the water flow.
During the survey the following poor conditions of canals were observed:

I. Collapsed canal banks in Kility, Geray, Gulina and Fetam irrigation schemes caused by fast flowing
water, unstable embankments due to unsuitable soil or water saturated soil, leaking lining in
elevated embankments, crabs and other animals dig holes in the embankment and cattle climbing in
and out the canal and these led to canal deterioration, reduced flow and frequent disruption of
irrigation supply, frequent maintenance and losses.
II. Steep canal slopes were observed in Dana main and secondary canals considering steep slope canal
design due to technical constraints, introducing illegal diversions by the local farmers and
progressive erosion of steep channels led to erosion of canal bottom and progressively digging–in of
canal, erosion and landslide of side slopes and collapse of the embankment, continuous
maintenance, frequent failure and disruption of water supply and loss of land.
III. Canal obstruction in Gimbora, Dana, Kility and Fetam irrigation schemes caused due to canal
vegetation and canal obstruction upstream of water diversions to increase water inflow to their
fields by increasing the water level (head). These brought reduced water flow through canals,
overtopping and unequal water distribution for farmers downstream.
IV. Water losses and leakages in Geray and Adrako headworks and canals of Tebi and Kility caused by
holes in embankments of canals often due to improper compactions or organic material buried in
bunds, crabs and other digging animals, small embankment of canals and leaking lining. Figure 4
shows this problem.

3.5.2. Poor water distribution

The management of the collection, storage and conveyance system in a project is a critical factor in the
performance and production of the irrigation system at the farm level. To ignore these linkages is to
invite low production, waterlogging and salinity, pollution of both surface and subsurface water
resources, poverty of the agricultural sector, and numerous other well known irrigation problems. The
conveyance and distribution of water from the main intake to the different farmers and fields is referred
to as the farm irrigation system. Much of these losses and inadequacies of irrigation systems occur at
this level.

I. Illegal offtakes which were produced by breaking the embankment of the canal observed in Kility
and Dana irrigation schemes resulted in uncontrolled water offtake and water loss, unequal water
distribution, collapse of the embankment by progressive erosion, undermining of the foundation by
water erosion and collapse of the structure and frequent maintenance and rapid deterioration of the
irrigation structure.
II. Uncontrolled and Inadequate offtakes (diversions) caused by temporary construction from simple
and easily available materials (stones, straw, and brush wood) in Fetam, Dana and Kility irrigation
projects led to uncontrolled and mostly excessive water distribution, collapse of the embankment
by progressive erosion of the embankment and frequent maintenance.
III. Damaged and Inadequate structures-caused by inadequate design like locations of structures not
relevant, elevation of the structure in relation to canal height inadequate, inadequate protection of

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embankment causes erosion of the foundations and collapse of the structure. This resulted in
disruption of water supply, frequent repair and maintenance and high expenses for frequent repair
and replacement of structures.
IV. Inefficient Water Management in Geray, Kility, Dana and Fetam irrigation schemes caused by
inadequate (distantly located) or non-functional structures like the division boxes and siphons and
non-functional water users association. These resulted in abolishment and collapse of structures,
arbitrary and unequal water distribution, and uncertainty in water supply, excessive and arbitrarily
offtake of water by the individual farmer and shortage of water in middle and tail end.

4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1. Conclusion

In the analysis of the studied schemes in the region it has come out clearly that at times government
just stops its management obligations on irrigation schemes without properly handing over the
operation and maintenance to the farmers. This creates problems at such schemes as farmers remain
with the understanding that the government is still responsible. It is important that the government
works out clear, transparent and systematic system of handing over of the schemes to the farmers. This
will avoid some of the problems mentioned in the body of this paper. It is also important to be
transparent and not to threaten people as a way of making them accept the project.

A major constraint in irrigation development in the past was the top-down approach by the
government, which viewed the “target population” primarily as beneficiaries rather than as customers
or stakeholders. In turn, “beneficiaries” perceived the government as a “free delivery channel” and
consequently no one would be willing to pay for operation and maintenance. There was also a tendency
for technical experts and politicians to make decisions on behalf of the farmer. The experts pretended
to know what was best for the poor, uneducated farmer. The government is moving away from this
approach and participatory planning is now being highly emphasized.

Sedimentation of reservoirs is the common problem in Ethiopia in general and Amhara region in
particular. Adrako irrigation project is a failed project due to violation of the technical procedures that
should be followed. Adrako is a bowl shaped watershed with a highly rugged and dissected
topographic terrain and most part of it is a farmland, because of this high sediment yield from the
watershed reservoir sedimentation resulted and led to outlet clogging.

The project failed as a result of sedimentation, which should have been protected by watershed
management. Based on report by experts and design document review the dam should have not been
constructed at that period. But political intervention has taken the great responsibility of the failure of
the project. This is because experts were forced to construct the project without the consideration of the
study document. Therefore, for future irrigation project development watershed management should be
given due attention before the construction of diversions and dams.

4.2. Recommendations

Recommendations regarding SSI schemes in Amhara region:

• A bottom-up approach is ideal for irrigation development, treating farmers as “owners” and
not as “beneficiaries” of the projects. So farmers should participate throughout the project
planning, implementation and evaluation phases.
• The government, given the budgetary constraints facing it, should come up with a clear,
transparent and systematic policy and method of handing over schemes to farmers and only
projects which are technically sound should be handed over.
• Study tour, training in water management, and marketing and general crop production for
farmers and extension workers should be organized.
• Institutional support and continuous monitoring and evaluation of irrigation schemes is
necessary to provide feedback and information important for the future planning of
management of new schemes and maintenance of old schemes.
• Designers should consider secondary outlet when they expect high sediment laden in the
respective watersheds.

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Status of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

• Measures for sediment flushing should be considered to prolong the life of the reservoirs and
preserve a long-term useful storage capacity.
• Installing bottom outlets for sediment discharge by considering the amount of sediment
entering the reservoir.
• To accommodate more silt deposition increasing dam height is also an alternative.

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author acknowledges, Amhara micro-enterprise development, Agricultural Research, Extension

and Watershed Management (AMAREW) Project for funding the research work.

6. REFERENCES

1. African Development Bank, 1997, “Environmental Assessment Guidelines, Irrigation”,

Abidjan, African Development Bank.
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3. Commission for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Rehabilitation of Amhara Region
(CoSAERAR), 1999, “Report on Existing Operation and Maintenance Modalities of Handed
over Irrigation Projects”.
4. Commission for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Rehabilitation of Amhara Region
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7. FAO, 1997c, “Summary of findings of missions in selected countries in East and Southern
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9. Halcrow, 1988, “Master plan for the development of surface water resources in the Awash
River basin”, Final report. Volume 8. Annex I and J. EVDSA. Addis Ababa.
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11. Melkamu Amare, 1996, “The role of small-scale irrigation development in the development of
sustainable agriculture in Amhara Region. Conference on Ethiopia’s Rural-centered
Development Program, Sustainable Development and Food Security (unpub.)”, Sep. 13-19,
1996. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
12. Tilahun H. and Paulos D., 2004, “Results to Date and Future Plan of Research on Irrigation
andIts Impact”, Workshop on Impact of Irrigation on Poverty and Environment, Workshop
Proceedings (in press), April 2003.

7. BIOGRAPHY

The author was born on December 5, 1976 in the then Gojjam Province at Dangila Woreda. He
attended his B.Sc and M.Sc degree in Alemaya University. He worked as a soil and water conservation
engineering expert and researcher in different organization of Amhara Region from September 1999-
March 2006. He is now a lecturer and deputy director of school of civil and water resources
engineering.

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