Status and Potential of Spate Irrigation in Ethiopia |
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Authors: | Frank van Steenbergen Abraham Mehari Haile Taye Alemehayu Tena Alamirew Yohannes Geleta |
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Affiliation: | (2) Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, S1 3JD Sheffield, UK;(3) Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, 2555 Engineering Building, 48824-1226 East Lansing, MI, USA;(4) Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1415 Engineering Drive, 53706 Madison, WI, USA |
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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. |
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