1.

INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
Agriculture is the fundamental economic sector and main source of income in Ethiopia and at
present, about 81 percent of the country’s populations are engaged in various agricultural activities.
Currently, the sector contributes 45 percent of the country’s GDP, and above all the sector believed
to be the main source of inputs to various industries in Ethiopia, which again plays the determinant
role to bring about sustainable economic development for the country (CSA 2011).

Even though, Ethiopian agriculture had suffered for years from the use of backward and traditional
farming practices and subsistence level of farming system, as well as limited use of modern farm
inputs, that resulted in the sector’s poor performance (i.e. yield low production and productivity
of the sector). However, improvements in agricultural production had started along with
productivity increments that had registered during the last few consecutive years and
implementation of poverty reduction strategy emphasis on commercialization of agriculture which
characterized by the use of relatively capital intensive, mechanized and market-oriented farming
system with increased use of modern farm management practices and inputs, such as, the use of
high tech-farm machinery and implements, irrigation scheme, use of chemical fertilizers ,
pesticides and improved seeds (MoFED, 2011).

The importance of irrigation has been increasingly recognized as one of the strategies to enhance
food-self-sufficiency and promote economic development of the country and improves agricultural
production and productivity by solving the problem of water shortage caused due to the
unpredictable rainfall. Currently, concerted efforts are being made at Oromia regional state level
to transform the prevailing subsistence production system to high value, market-oriented
production system, and one of such efforts exerted in this line embarks on the judicious use of the
available water sources particularly rivers for the small-scale irrigation development in the region.

Hence, Usman kedo farm enterprise irrigation project study was executing to increase the
agricultural product, its operation managed by farmers of the project area and surrounding
communities.

Accordingly, topographic survey as well as socio-economic survey has been conducted on gross
area of 70.85 ha and the net irrigable area of this project is found to be 56 ha out of which about
 38ha of land was constructed and 18ha will be plan for future extension irrigation development
with conducting feasibility study as well as detail design.

Therefore, implementation of Usman Kedo farm enterprise irrigation development project as part
of the economic plan of the country would sustain food sufficiency and produce crops of industrial
importance and high foreign exchange rate.

1.2 Objectives of the feasibility and detail design

The main objective of the project is to develop irrigation system that enhance full benefit of
enterprise through a more efficient use of water resource, thereby ensuring sustainable food
security, creating job opportunity in the project area and thus it reduces rural unemployment
and Fruit and vegetables income diversification that contributes for local, regional and national
economic development endeavors which is planned to be achieved through irrigating net area
56ha of land to benefit the users in project area.
The specific objectives of the on-farm system design study are indicated
below:
✓ Identifying Potential and opportunity and also Social and environmental impact of
commercial farm and irrigation development and economic benefit of the project;
✓ To carry out a complete and detailed on farm structure, drainage crossing structures and
related structures for the irrigation which will seek to establish an implementing plan
for the sustainable development of irrigated agriculture, which will optimally exploit
the land and water resources of the project benefit;
✓ To prepare detail-working drawings, BOQ and specification document for execution of
construction works;

1.3 Scope of the feasibility and detail design

The scope of this study mainly focuses on the Water source and Analyzing of hydrological aspects,
Environmental impact assessment, Socio-economic aspect and financial analysis of the
commercial farm, Agriculture and agronomical study, Soil and land Evaluation, geology and
geotechnical study, Irrigation and drainage system design & Estimate cost of the project. The study
also considered the existing cultivation practices and the potential of Irrigated agriculture of
project.

1.4 Description of Project Area

Usman kedo farm enterprise irrigation project is located in Oromia Regional National State, Arsi
administrative zone and Jeju woreda particularly in Achamo Gulo peasant kebele. The project
area is about 174 km and 119 km away from Finfinne city and Asela town (Arsi zone capital)
 respectively. The irrigation project is also around 0.34 km away from the main asphalt road that
traverses from Adama to Abomsa town. Hence, it is expected that the project area, when
developed will have the opportunity to use such urban areas/centers (like Asela, Adama and
Finfinne) for marketing of agricultural products in particular.

The command area is located between 575153 to 576452 Longitudinal and 946494 to 947645
Latitude. The road networks and accessibility in the project area and the surrounds are indicated
in Fig. 1.

Figure 1: Location Map of Project area and accessibility

2 SOCIO-ECONOMY OF THE STUDY

2.1 General
The rural development policies and strategies of Ethiopia have duly emphasized the problem of
food security, the deep-rooted and abject poverty that prevails in the country as a whole and also
water-based development is one of the essential intervention areas to get rid of the problem of food
 security and the entrenched poverty in the short run and to ensure continuous economic growth
and social development, and hence sustainable development in the long run.

This detail study conducted for Usman kedo farm enterprise Irrigation Project; to implement in
Jeju district, Achamo Gulo peasant kebeles which aims to produce vegetables and fruit using
irrigation in the area. The study aims to assess existing socioeconomic conditions of the project
area, identifying the Project boundaries and the beneficiary households or individuals, scrutinize
attitude and willingness of the community for proposed project and forecast impacts and cost
benefits of the project.

Accordingly, To arrive at a sound and valid conclusion for the socioeconomic conditions in the
project area, and to come up with feasible recommendations, the study has applied various data
collection methods, the study was Assessed the detail socioeconomic conditions of the area Viz;
Assessing positive and negative impact of the project, social services, existing infrastructures and
basic livelihood system and Irrigation potential (water, land and labor) and is conducive for the
undertaking of new irrigation project.
Finally, as per the result obtained from detail study what would be undertaken have recommended
for irrigation development.

1.5 Objective of the study

The main objective of this study conducted to assess the role and contributions of commercial
agricultural investment farms and irrigation project development to local socio-economic
development and financial and economic benefits of the project.

Specifically, this study has investigated the general social and environmental impact of the project
on the communities and forecast the possible financial and economic benefit of the irrigation
development project and positive impact on local communities. And also, to assess the role and
magnitude of employment opportunities created by agricultural investment and propose ways and
mechanisms that may enhance contribution of agricultural investment to local social development
and minimize negative effects.

1.6 Methodology of the study

It is readily understood that there is an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to planning,

formulation and implementation of project in general and irrigation projects in particular. The
methodology and data analysis have focused on social and development issues in order to generate
data on problems of development rather than just analyzing for the sake of analysis.
 1.6.1 Major data sources

Two types of data sources were used in this study; viz. secondary and primary data sources. In this
regard attempt has been made to review different secondary data sources that were relevant and
available. These include reports, books, Research and sociological study documents. In addition,
the necessary primary data were also collected from the local community, sector offices and
pertinent experts in the project area in general and the project localities in particular.

1.6.2 Methods of data collection

Certain data collection instruments were applied to generate the necessary primary data.
These comprise unstructured and key informants’ interview and purposive observation. As a
matter of fact, the data collected about the employee’s job satisfaction in project area and
surrounding community. In the case of this study expert used to identify the job satisfaction of
machine operators and farm workers of farm enterprise.

On other hand, secondary data which had information collected through other relevant sources.
The collected the secondary data from published and unpublished materials available at different
governmental and non-governmental institutions.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study included all the aspects related to socioeconomic, social and Financial and
economic benefit of the project area. The scope of the study comprised the following:
➢ The Socio-Demography of the study area
➢ Local social services and Infrastructure development
➢ Livelihood base of local community
➢ Employment opportunity and Technology transfer
➢ Attitude of local community towards agriculture farm investment
➢ EIA and mitigation measures of the irrigation development project
1.8 Result and Discussion of the Project
1.8.1 The Socio-Demography of the study area
The Socio-demography analysis is essential for various purposes including Educational
background and age interval.In fact, the majority of the respondents were between the age of 31
and 50 as indicated in fig-2 below.

The sample household survey shows that about 52.1% of the respondents were illiterate; read and
write, while 20.1% were in the range of grade 1 to 8 respectively; and 4.7% indicated that they
 attained education level of grade 9 to 10; only 1.2% of the respondents reported they were from
grade 11 to 12 grade as detailed in table-2 below

Age Range
9%
Less than 20 years

20 to 30
0.5%
22%
16% 31 to 40

41 to 50

51 to 60
30%
23% 61 and above

Figure 2; Age range in the project area (Source: OWWDSE,2008)

Education status
0% 1%
Illiterate
Read and write
20% 5%
Grade 1 – 8
Grade 9 – 10
22% 52% Grade 11 – 12
Above 12 grade

Figure 3: Education status in the project area (Source; OWWDSE,2008)

1.8.2 Local social services and Infrastructure development

Regarding the development of social services and infrastructures around the project the road and
foot path bridge planned to construct for transport production and local community. The reason for
the majority of the company’s failure to participate was lack of capacity at this stage and lack of
awareness on priorities areas.

1.8.3 Livelihood base of local community

According to the data obtained from Agriculture and Natural Resources bureau of Jeju district
crops grown as well as the irrigation project kebeles include various types of cereals, pulses and
horticulture among other like maize, sorghum, teff, wheat, barley, oats, onion, potato and tomato
are grown in the area.
 1.8.3.1 Alternatives off farm income sources
In this study most, respondents could not have any alternatives sources of income and get their
additional income from employment, as daily labour. Therefore, agricultural investment creates
job opportunities for the rural community and can increase their income.

1.8.3.2 Attitude of local community towards agriculture farm investment

The attitudes of respondents towards investors were varied; out of 30 respondents interviewed 18
of them had a favorable attitude and did not observed drawbacks.
Table 1: Frequency distribution of attitudes of the respondents

Category Frequency Percent

No drawback of investors 18 60
Under payment by investors - -
Created shortage of land 10 33.3
Not helping local communities 2 6.7
Source: Field survey, 2023
1.8.3.3 Employment Opportunity
As indicated in table below the project created job opportunity and planned to employ more.
Table 2: Distribution of employment creation on the project area
Detail Male Female Percentage
Total No. of employees 100 10 10
Experts 5 2 40
No. of Permanent workers 35 3 14
No. of Daily Labors 60 5 8
Source: Field survey, 2023
1.9 Conclusion and Recommendation
1.9.1 Conclusion
The socio-economic detail study of Usman Kedo farm enterprise Irrigation Project was assessed
the demographic characteristics, existing social services, economic factors and employment
opportunity and technology transfer. These Socio-economic components have direct and indirect
impact on the agricultural sector and their role either to dissipate or accelerate economic wellbeing
was identified in the study.

Sustainable agriculture is an environmentally friendly agricultural practice that involves the use of
the limited natural resources to satisfy the present generation without compromising the interest
of the future generation. In addition, for that agricultural investment’s sustainable development,
the communities have significant role in terms of labor, security and other social influenced factors
of the investment.
 Therefore, the investor should prepare and have an employment procedure and labor
administration to have good working environment otherwise the above factors have directly or
indirect impact on the agricultural investment sector.

1.9.2 Recommendation
The improvement of livelihoods of the population in the project areas depends on the sustainability
and effectiveness of all development interventions.
Therefore, to realize the benefit of the community the following recommendations has given;
✓ Considering water demand for domestic and livestock consumption, and also for the
downstream community,
✓ Ensuring irrigation resource (land, water, etc.) utilization according to rules and regulations
for improving production and productivity, for reducing/avoiding conflicts to assure
improvement of community’s livelihood;
✓ Market is the main constraints of the irrigators in most of the area; hence, the concerned
government body at all levels should make a market linkage, etc.
✓ Cooperatives should be established and strengthened and facilitate the supply and
provision of such inputs to the users in the irrigation project area;
3 SOIL AND LAND EVALUATION OF COMMAND AREA
1.10 General
Soil is a dynamic natural body composed of minerals, organic materials and living forms in which
plants grow. It is the collection of natural bodies occupying parts of earth’s surface that supports
plants and has properties due to integrated effects of climate and living matter acting upon parent
materials, as conditioned by relief, over periods of time.

The general objectives of this soil survey work were to characterize the soils of the command area
in terms of their morphological, physical and chemical characteristics as well as to describe and
classify the landforms, land units and soils to be used as a basis for land evaluation for irrigation
development.

1.10 Approach and Methodology

In this regard attempt has been made to review different secondary data sources that were relevant
and available. Additionally, a general soils map of the Awash Basin is available, which can
provide more information on the soil types found in the basin.

There are several studies that have evaluated the soil and land of the awash basin. According to a
report by FAO, soil surveys and land classification have been conducted according to suitability
for irrigation in the basin. Common types of land use in the upper reaches of the Awash River
basin are cultivated land, shrubland, grassland, and woodland, with agriculture being the main land
use. Overall, there have been studies that have evaluated the soil and land of the Awash River
Basin, including soil surveys, land classification, and land cover changes.

1.11 Soil Data

Soil data is one of the inputs required for the feasibility of irrigation potential area that are collected
from several sources conducted in several times in the awash basin. The soil data includes extent
of soil salinity level, soil classification, physical and chemical characteristics of the soil, major soil
groups and soil types and fertility. The dominant soil of the study area is Andosols type of soil
which is characterized by high porous, dark-colored, fertile soils, high permeability. And also,
Andosols have a good internal drainage, high porosity, high water infiltration, and good aggregate
stability which is suitable for crop.
In general, the andosols have silt loam soil texture, fine to medium subangular blocky structure
and average soil depth is 100cm.
 Study Area

Figure 4: Soil Type of Jeju woreda and study area

1.12 Land use land cover of the study area

The land use/land cover map of Usman Kedo farm is dominated by Cultivated Land 80 % of the
total land area followed by irrigation structures, farm road, offices and other buildings is about 20%.

1.13 Slope Data

Irrigation land suitability classification is the systematic evaluation of lands and their designation
by categories or classes based on similar physical and chemical characteristics and related
economic conditions, with respect to suitability for sustained agricultural production under
irrigation and irrigation service which includes a plan for water and land source development. The
primary purpose of irrigation land suitability classification is to establish the extent and degree of
 suitability (arability) of lands for sustained irrigation farming to serve as a basis for selecting lands
to be included in an irrigation agriculture.

Topography is often a major factor in irrigation evaluation as it influences the choice of irrigation
method, drainage, erosion, irrigation efficiency, costs of land development, etc. Of all the most
important parameter of topography that has special bearing on irrigation suitability is slope which
may affect the following factors: intended methods of irrigation, erosion, mechanization and
cropping pattern. Gravity irrigation is rarely suited to slopes exceeding 15 percent. Sprinkler
irrigation of arable crops is acceptable on slopes not exceeding 20 percent (FAO, 1979).

Using ASTER DEM slope classification of the study area has done for slope range of below 2, 2-
5, 5-8 and above 8 %. Hence, based on FAO recommendation a slope range of slope below 8%
was considered as suitable for irrigation.

Table 3 : Slope suitability classification for irrigation of the study area

Slope Suitability Classification

Slope% Suitability class Area coverage-ha %age

0-2 S1 18.1 26.9

2-5 S2 46.8 66.76

5-8 S3 4.75 6.56

>8 N 0.0 0

Total 69.65 ha

4 Hydrology & Sources of water

1.14 General

The Awash River Basin is an important river basin in Ethiopia, and its water resources are crucial
to development, but during the dry season (December to May) the river flow fluctuate due to
various factors such as climate change, expansion irrigation, land use, and increase of water
demand. Improving irrigation systems can help reduce water demand by designing best irrigation
system that can save water without decreasing productivity of the system.
 To determine or estimate the potential evapo-transpiration and water resource planning of the area,
adequate and reliable data on climate is essential. The rainfall, average temperature, relative
humidity, wind speed and sunshine duration data of the command area is important to determine
the crop water requirement. The meteorology and hydrology of the catchment of awash river study
document is reviewed for water balance assessment.

The water source for Usman Kedo farm investment irrigation development project is from Awash
river by the gravity system in simple way intake structure during normal river flow to Merti- jeju
earthen canal and divert to pond after 2km from river by releasing 20% of water amount to d/s.

The general objective of this study is to estimation and analysis available and reliable of water
source for irrigation purpose and flood peaks and probability of their occurrence for the design of
hydraulic and civil structures to minimize the failures happened during construction, specifically
to analysis and determine the minimum, mean and maximum discharge of water source and
analysis maximum flood level.

1.15 Data Availability and Collection

1.15.1 Review of previous study

The quality of hydrological study depends on the quality of the available data. The methodology
used to determine climatic characteristics in the project area is by analyzing the nearby
meteorological stations. The hydrological study of ungauged catchments is usually studied based on
the available information from nearest catchments, one of the stations is Nura era which is
characterized by period of recorded year is 1990-1996 and drainage area of 14,173 km214 and
Meteorological data for all the observed climatic elements computed using short recent available
records from Nura Era and Metahara stations.
1.15.2 Rainfall and another Climate element of the project area
The climate of the Awash Basin comes under the influence of the Inter Tropical convergence Zone
(ITCZ). This zone of low pressure marks the convergence of dry tropical easterlies and the moist
equatorial easterlies. The seasonal rainfall distribution with in the project area results from the
annual migration of the ITCZ. The ITCZ starts its advance across the project area from south in
March bringing small spring rains. From June to September the ITCZ moves rapidly from north
part of the country to the project area bringing summer rain. Along with the ITCZ the orography
has significant effect for the formation of rain in the project.
 The mean monthly minimum and maximum temperature in the project area varies from 240C to
260C respectively. The mean minimum temperature is recorded in December and the maximum is
recorded in May. Annual rainfall is about 578mm. Mean monthly rainfall varies from 6.75 mm to
137mm. The highest rainfall occurs in August; while the lowest rainfall occurs in December. Mean
monthly relative humidity varies from 37% to 39%.

Rainfall data are needed to represent the monthly rainfall time series at Nura Era & Metahara
stations for the period 1990 to 2010. The monthly rainfall patterns and other climatic elements
such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and sunshine duration are illustrated in table
below.

Table 4.Mean monthly climatic parameters

Stations Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual

Rainfall, mm
Nura Era 40.1 6.75 60.6 43.0 27.9 34.0 111.0 137.6 46.3 50.9 10.5 9.3 578
Metahara 11.97 5.24 59 38.8 25.7 22.9 124 120.6 31.4 33.9 4.91 4.79 483.6
Temperature, 0c
Nura Era 22.0 22.7 24.8 26 27 28 25.5 25.17 25.4 24 21.4 20.9 24.3
Metahara 23.5 24.4 26.6 27 28.4 29 26.7 26.2 27.1 25 23.4 22.2 25.9

Humidity, %
Nura Era 40.2 32 39.4 39 30.6 34 38.2 48.6 48.4 32 32.8 37.4 37.7
Metahara 39.2 32.3 37.9 40 35.7 35 43.5 49.1 45.2 37 33.8 35.7 38.6

Sunshine duration, hrs

Nura Era 8.8 9.6 7.95 8.4 9.4 5.4 6.7 7 7.5 8.3 9.5 9.5 8.2
Metahara 8.8 10.2 8.8 8.8 9.2 8.8 7.3 7.3 7.9 8.8 9.7 9.8 8.8

Wind speed, m/sec

Nura Era 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.7 2.9 2.2 1.6 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.8
Metahara 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.5 1.5 2 2.2 1.7 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6

Table 5.Evapo-transpiration

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Nura Era 4.5 5.3 5.3 5.6 6.3 6.5 6.4 5.6 5.3 5.0 4.8 4.5 1975
Comman 4 4.7 4.7 4.9 5.6 5.7 5.6 5.5 4.7 4.4 4.2 4 1740
d area

1.15.3 Water resources of the project area

The water source for the area is merit-jeju canal diverting by gravity from Awash River. The Merti
Jeju feeder Canal diverts the Awash waters directly by gravity with simple intake structure. The
diverted discharges measured over the last years have been as shown in the region of 3.1 m3/sec
maximum from January - March and about 2.5m3/sec in the months of September - October.
1.15.4 Water Availability Analysis
The methodology used to determine water availability in the project area is analyzing the Nura Era
hydrological gauging station, water balance of the project area based on inflow and outflow
characteristics, and field observations.
The hydrological characteristic of the area is described by the Awash River, which is draining the
area. Irrigation abstraction for the project will be of downstream release from the Koka reservoir
and additional stream flow contribution of the downstream catchment during rainy season. Climatic
and geologic factors control the flow availability of a river. Important climatic elements are solar
radiation, temperature, humidity, evaporation, and soil moisture, and vegetative growth, which
subsequently affect the run off.

The Diversion weir for the irrigation project is located just upstream of the gauging station nura era.
The catchment area at this location is estimated to be about 13,469km2. The Awash River catchment
at Nura Era station is 14,173km2. Estimate of the 80% dependable flow of Awash River at diversion
site are made based on the area ratio method. Out of the estimated dependable monthly flows the
least minimum inflow of month will be released for downstream users and environmental purposes.
However, as shown in the 80% dependable data of Awash River in certain dry years this much flow
could not be available. Therefore, to take care of the uncertainties, mechanisms such as increasing
storage in the catchment in a form of a pond and small dams, reduction of irrigation area when
rainfall is below normal during the rainy season, and provision of night storage is important. As our
observation the downstream catchment contributes less runoff particularly as base flow due to less
amount of rainfall and less vegetation cover than the upper catchment.

Table 6. Monthly water demand abstractions for irrigation of Upper Awash Agro-Industry (2006/07)

Month JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Annual
Nura Era 7.780 7.606 7.706 7.801 8.705 8.315 7.490 7.688 9.830 8.043 7.386 7.369 95.719
Marti-Jaju 2.713 2.936 3.188 3.978 4.979 3.373 1.325 2.605 3.71 2.744 2.73 2.783 37.064
Tibila 0.387 0.345 0.325 0.257 3.888 0.299 0.061 0.009 0.084 0.206 0.302 0.276 6.439
Aba Desco 0.717 0.591 0.257 0.493 1.142 0.577 0.269 0.284 0.364 1.724 0.886 0.442 7.746
Flow (Mm3) 11.597 11.478 11.476 12.529 18.714 12.564 9.145 10.586 13.988 12.717 11.304 10.870 146.968
Source: Awash Basin Authority, Amibara.
 [DOCUMENT TITLE]

5 IRRIGATION AGRONOMY AND AGRICULTURE PLAN

1.16 General
Irrigated agriculture is an important aspect of crop production and contributes significantly to
the food supply. Full benefit of crop production technologies such as high yielding varieties,
fertilizer use, multiple cropping, crop culture and plant protection measures can be derived only
when adequate supply of water is assured. On the other hand, optimum benefit from irrigation
is obtained only when other crop production inputs are provided and technologies applied. It is
through irrigation and integrated crop development that sustainable crop production can be
ensured. Thus, the cropping pattern and the agricultural inputs are proposed for the net
command area.

The general objective of the agronomy study is to investigate the existing agriculture and
identify crops that are adaptable to the climate and soil of the project area and recommend the
improved agronomic practices to increase the productivity and production of the proposed
command area by using improved farming practices with irrigated agriculture and thereby
attain food self-sufficiency and food security of the community of the area.

The general objective of the agronomy study is to investigate the existing agriculture and
identify crops that are adaptable to the climate and soil of the project area and recommend the
improved agronomic practices to increase the productivity and production of the proposed
command area by using improved farming practices with irrigated agriculture and thereby
attain food self-sufficiency and food security of the community of the area.

The selection of potential crops during the feasibility study of the project has given due
emphasis to the critical conditions such as climatic conditions and adaptation of the crops to
the growing conditions of the project area, the soil condition of the project area, the length of
the growing periods of the various crops, yield potentials, market demand of the products, crop
rotation and crop diversification requirements.

The crops under proposed area cropping calendar, cropping pattern and intensity, yield and
yield projection, crop water requirement, agricultural inputs, and agronomic recommendations
are considered. Adequate and timely supply of agricultural inputs including, improved and

31
viable seeds, fertilizers and plant protection chemicals to the irrigated agriculture commercial
farm has paramount importance to achieve the proposed yield projection.

1.17 Objectives
The general objective is to study the existing agriculture and identify crops that are adaptable
to climatic condition and soil condition of the project area and recommend the improved
agronomic practices to increase the productivity and production of the proposed command area,
by using improved farming practices with irrigated agriculture and thereby attain food self-
sufficiency.

In addition, the specific objectives of agronomy feasibility study include the following
important points. These include: -Evaluation of the existing agricultural situation of the study
area (i.e., crops grown, cropping pattern and farming system), Identification and evaluation of
crop production constraints, based on the crop selection criterion, selection of suitable crops,
cropping pattern and cropping calendar, eestimation of input requirements such as seeds,
fertilizers, chemicals, labour and draught power for the selected crops, prediction of yield plan
for the selected crops, recommendation of important agronomic practices and supporting
services for the crops grown under irrigation and analysis of crop water requirements and
irrigation scheduling of the proposed crops by taking into consideration climate, soil and crop
characteristics.

1.18 Methodology of the study

In order to undertake the irrigation agronomy study of this particular irrigation project, both
primary and secondary data were collected. Accordingly, Major relevant studied documents
were reviewed, field observation was performed to identify the cropping pattern and agronomic
practices, the necessary meteorology data representing the project area were obtained from
Nure era and metehara Stations and Data processing and computation of crop water
requirement was undertaken by Pen man-Monteith method using Cropwat 8.0 software. Commented [SG1]:

1.19 Review of Sector Policies, Strategies and Related Previous Studies

1.19.1 Agricultural Policy
Several strategies and policies refer and support the need for development of natural
resources, market demand and diversified agriculture. The focus of agricultural
policy has been to:

❖ Increase the supply of agricultural raw materials to the local industry

❖ Expand the local manufacturing industries and Increase foreign exchange earnings
 ❖ Review of price, institutional and technology development policies.

1.20 Agro-ecologic of the study area

Based on traditional climatic zones of Ethiopia (i.e., temperature and rain fall), the agro-
ecological classification of the project area is classified as moist Kola. The major crops
produced in this agro-ecology are Maize, Sorghum, Groundnut, Haricot Beans, Cotton, Sweet
Potatoes, Shallot, Onion, Pepper, Tomato, Banana, Papaya, Citrus etc. The agro-climatic
distribution and Crop mix for major agro-ecologies of Ethiopia are depicted on the table below.

Table 7 General recommended crop mix for major agro-ecologies of Ethiopia

No. Major agro- Altitude Average Annual Recommended crops

ecological zones (m) Temperature Rainfall
(oC) (mm)
1 Moist Dega 2300-3200 12-18 900- Barley, Wheat, Highland Pulses, Potatoes,
1400 Cabbage, Carrot, Swiss Chard
2 Moist Weyna Dega 1500-2300 18-25 900- Teff, Maize, Wheat, Pulses, Sorghum, Noug,
1400 Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Cabbage, Carrot,
Swiss Chard, Shallot, Onion, Pepper, Tomato,
Garlic, Coffee
3 Dry Weyna Dega 1500-2300 18-25 300-900 Maize, Wheat, Groundnut, Haricot Beans,
Sweet Potatoes, Shallot, Onion, Pepper,
Tomato, Swiss Chard, Coffee, Banana,
Papaya, Citrus
4 Moist Kolla 500-1500 >25 900- Maize, Groundnut, Haricot Beans, Sweet
1400 Potatoes, Shallot, Onion, Pepper, Tomato,
Banana, Papaya, Citrus
5 Dry Kolla 500-1500 >25 300-900 Maize, Sorghum, Groundnut, Haricot Beans,
Cotton, Sweet Potatoes, Shallot, Onion,
Pepper, Tomato, Banana, Papaya, Citrus

Source: Irrigation Agronomy Guideline, Ministry of Agriculture, 2011

1.21 Review of Sector Policies, Strategies and Related Previous Studies

1.21.1 Agricultural Policy
Several strategies and policies refer and support the need for development of natural
resources, market demand and diversified agriculture. The focus of agricultural
policy has been to:

❖ Increase the supply of agricultural raw materials to the local industry

❖ Expand the local manufacturing industries and Increase foreign exchange earnings
❖ price, institutional and technology development policies
 1.22 Study Result and Discussion
1.22.1 Farming System and Settlement Pattern
The farming system‟ is the complex arrangement of soils, water sources, crops, livestock,
labour, and other resources and characteristics within an environmental setting that a farm
family manages in accordance with its preferences, capabilities and available technologies.
The predominant farming system in the project district, kebele as well as command
area is generally cereals, vegetables, and highland pulses.
The agro-climatic requirements of highland crops help to delineate the highland cereal mixed
farming boundaries. Wheat, barley, teff, Faba bean, Pea, linseed is the major indicator Rainfed
crops which identify the farming system.
Among the major crops grown in the farming system wheat and barley are widely cultivated
in the command area under the Rainfed cropping. Mono-cropping is a widespread cropping
system. Intercropping and crop rotation allows efficient utilization of soil nutrients and
increased harvest from land resource and also crop rotation reduces the buildup soil born
pests. Intercropping also enables to get minimum harvest in case of one component crop
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failure, so intercropping of leguminous crops with the major component crop is the common
practice, even though, it was not uniform among the farmers. There is no double cropping
system in the project command Kebele but the project command areas are characterized by
bimodal nature of rainfall.
Livestock husbandry is an integral part of the farming system complementing the crop
production with draught power for land preparation, threshing and transportation. Common
animals kept by smallholders are cattle, sheep and equines, with holding rates depending on
the
status of individual farmers. Livestock husbandry also provides manure for fertilizer and fuel
for cooking. Cropping returns feed for livestock through crop residues and other byproducts.
Same of mechanized farming system was practiced in Arsi and Bale Zone like tractor for
ploughing and combiner for harvesting and also in project kebele most of farmer use
combiner
for harvesting of wheat and barley.
1.22.2 Existing Agricultural Scenario
Agricultural inputs are the essential component of crop production to meet food security and
increase investor income. The use of proper agricultural inputs at the recommended rates

and period plays a significant role in yield increment per unit area of land. Reviewing and

analyzing of the existing agricultural inputs or technology services and practices relevant to

the irrigated and rainfed agriculture is essential to build up know how about the agricultural

inputs dissemination system and experiences of the investment which will help to identify

the gaps in technology application. Furthermore, the best practices could be replicated in the

intended project to maintain the optimum yield. The study also reviewed existing agronomic

practices on irrigated agriculture to use as a database for recommendation of the best practice
for the future irrigation development based on the input level and adoption rate of the
technologies. Major issues to be considered in study areas experiences in supplying and
utilizing fertilizer types and volumes with specific crop and constraints and measures taken to
resolve the problems.

According to the response of the project kebele there were very limited inputs used in and

around the proposed project area to obtain an optimum yield mainly due to resistance of the

producers which might be brought due limited know how and capacity to purchase improved

agricultural inputs . According to the response of the beneficiaries, even though, the improved

agricultural inputs like fertilizers and improved seeds are relatively made available timely by

Zone and Wereda Agriculture and Natural Resource Development, Cooperatives Fertilizers

are commonly used for production of cereal crops (wheat, barley); tuber crops (potato, sweet

potato) The recommended type and rate of fertilizers for each crop under the current crop

production practices were indicated on Table below and the rate of fertilizer application in the

site were not as a recommended.

Crop water requirement

Crop water requirement is defined as the depth of water needed to meet the water loss through
evapotranspiration of a disease-free crop growing in large fields under non-restricting soil
conditions, including soil water and fertility and achieving full production potential under the
given growing environment. It represents the water used by a crop for growth and cooling
purposes. This water is extracted from the soil root zone by the root system and is therefore not
available as stored water in the soil. The estimation of crop water requirement causes effective
planning of crop production at farm level.
The crop water requirement mainly depends on the following factors: the climate crop types
growth stage of crop.
The Crop water requirements are normally expressed by the rate of evapotranspiration (ET) in
mm/day or mm/period. The water required by crops is essentially met from rainfall
/precipitation/, irrigation, soil water and ground water sources.
The latest “CropWat 8.0” that is used for water duty computation as decision support system
developed by FAO, having main functions which used to:
❖ Calculate reference evapotranspiration, crop water requirements, crop
irrigation requirements;
❖ Develop irrigation schedules under various management conditions,
Scheme water supply;
❖ Evaluate rainfed production and drought effects, efficiency of irrigation
practices.
Crop Water Needs knowing the aspect and/or attribute of Crop for Water Need is very
crucial thing to schedule the irrigation of the project site.
The crop water requirement

1.23 Crop Selection and Cropping Pattern

The type of crops and the clear setting of cropping pattern over a calendar year have a
considerable effect on the level of the cropping intensity. The basic objective of setting clear
cropping pattern is to maximize the utilization of the scarce land resource and given the
condition that water resource is not a limiting factor and also that all the beneficiaries are
capable and willing to implement the proposed or recommended cropping program in
supplying the required labor and other inputs so that the anticipated yield would be produced
in every year.
Therefore, if the area is provided with irrigation water it may be possible to increase the
cropping intensity with different cropping pattern. The proposed irrigated cropping pattern will
depend not only on agronomic and marketing factors, but also on issues such as the relative
importance of irrigated and rain- fed production to family food security. Importance given to
cash generation, for example for clothing, cooking utilities etc should also be taken in to
account.
Crops are selected traditionally by the farmer in the face of crop rotation and crop calendar to
keep and improve the fertility of the soil in a good condition and sometimes applying artificial
and natural fertilizers. Inter cropping of crops is not adopted in the area because of shortage of
water but sometimes with a supplemental of rain at rainy seasons, the farmers sometimes inter
crop maize and sorghum with sweet potato.