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Status and Potential of Spate Irrigation in Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Frank Steenbergen
  • Abraham Haile
  • Taye Alemehayu
  • Tena Alamirew
  • Yohannes Geleta

Abstract

This article discusses spate irrigation in Ethiopia and aims to take stock of the current status of spate irrigation development. It summarizes experiences so far and formulates a number of recommendations on the development of this upcoming resource management system. It argues that raised weirs are useful mainly in areas where a large head for spate flow diversion is required, but that traditional earthen structures with conical stone/gabion reinforcements are cost-effective and technically adequate for floodwater distribution and management. It contends that the practical successes of sediment settling ponds (gravel traps) are at best mixed. Even where a small basin is justified, it can only ever trap a small proportion of the incoming sediment load. It is better to allow large floods with excessive sediment load (>100,000 ppm) to by-pass upstream intakes to be diverted lower down the system, and provide additional livelihood opportunities in downstream areas in the form of rangeland and agro-forestry development. This is particularly useful in the lowlands of Ethiopia with large pastoral community where spate irrigation is yet to make in-roads. The article further explains that water rights in spate are different from the sharing and allocation of perennial flows—they are dynamic and respond to a situation that differs from year to year as well as within a year and that a certain degree of inequity among users is inevitable. Keeping the command area compact can ensure two or more irrigation turns and this can highly increase productivity as crops are no longer in the ‘stress zone’. To transform spate irrigation in Ethiopia from subsistence to a business-oriented production system, the article proposes the promotion of cash crops including pulses and oil seeds as well as encouraging investors to go for bio-fuel development and agro-forestry in the lowland areas where huge potential exist. To avoid vehement conflicts that may arise among the settled agricultural and pastoral communities due to the implementation of the business-oriented production system, the traditional rights of the pastoral communities must be respected and their rangeland and water resources be safeguarded. For maximum yield, soil moisture conservation measures such as pre-irrigation land preparation, deep ploughing and mulching are essential as is the conjunctive use of spate flow and groundwater. Last, but most important, the article emphasizes that farmers need to be placed at the heart of any spate irrigation development programme as primary beneficiaries, managers and operators as well as part of the decision making institution. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011

Suggested Citation

  • Frank Steenbergen & Abraham Haile & Taye Alemehayu & Tena Alamirew & Yohannes Geleta, 2011. "Status and Potential of Spate Irrigation in Ethiopia," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(7), pages 1899-1913, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:25:y:2011:i:7:p:1899-1913
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-011-9780-7
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bouma, Jetske A. & Hegde, Seema S. & Lasage, Ralph, 2016. "Assessing the returns to water harvesting: A meta-analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 100-109.
    2. Hagos, Fitsum & Erkossa, Teklu & Lefore, Nicole & Langan, Simon, 2014. "Spate irrigation and poverty in Ethiopia," IWMI Conference Proceedings 208908, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Berhe, Gebremeskel Teklay & Baartman, Jantiene E.M. & Veldwisch, Gert Jan & Grum, Berhane & Ritsema, Coen J., 2022. "Irrigation development and management practices in Ethiopia: A systematic review on existing problems, sustainability issues and future directions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    4. SO Jawuoro & JS Mbau & OK Koech & GN Karuku, 2017. "Community Based Water Resource Conservation in the Southern Rangelands of Kenya," International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 3(3), pages 77-84, - July.
    5. Maria Jose Marques & Gudrun Schwilch & Nina Lauterburg & Stephen Crittenden & Mehreteab Tesfai & Jannes Stolte & Pandi Zdruli & Claudio Zucca & Thorunn Petursdottir & Niki Evelpidou & Anna Karkani & Y, 2016. "Multifaceted Impacts of Sustainable Land Management in Drylands: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-34, February.
    6. Spyridon K. Golfinopoulos & Dimitra Koumparou, 2024. "Rural Environmental Governance: A Communal Irrigation System in Greece through the Social–Ecological System Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-32, July.
    7. Zenebe, Mara Getachew & Fleskens, Luuk & Ritsema, Coen & Steenbergen, Frank, 2022. "Basin-wide productivity and livelihood analysis of flood-based agricultural systems in African drylands: A case study in the Fogera floodplain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    8. Castelli, Giulio & Bresci, Elena & Castelli, Fabio & Hagos, Eyasu Yazew & Mehari, Abraham, 2018. "A participatory design approach for modernization of spate irrigation systems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 286-295.

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