Transforming arid landscapes through efficient irrigation.

Is Your Irrigation System Draining Your Profits? Uncover the Hidden Leaks

Soraya Malik in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Case Study from Ethiopia Reveals Shocking Inefficiencies in Small-Scale Irrigation and How to Fix Them"

Water is the lifeblood of agriculture, but its scarcity and misuse pose significant threats to food security and sustainable development worldwide. Inefficient irrigation practices are a major concern, leading to wasted resources and reduced crop yields. As competition for water intensifies, it's crucial to understand and address the factors that contribute to these inefficiencies.

Many irrigation projects, especially in developing countries, operate far below their potential due to shortcomings in design, construction, operation, and maintenance. This not only wastes precious water but also undermines the economic viability of farming communities that depend on these systems.

A recent study conducted in Ethiopia sheds light on the challenges faced by small-scale irrigation schemes and offers valuable insights into how to improve their performance. By evaluating water conveyance and on-farm application efficiency, the research pinpoints areas where improvements can make a significant difference.

The Ethiopian Irrigation Crisis: A Wake-Up Call

Transforming arid landscapes through efficient irrigation.

A study focused on the Lemchek-Sewur small-scale irrigation (SSI) scheme in Ethiopia. The goal was straightforward: identify exactly how much water was being lost along the way and how efficiently the water was being used in the fields. Researchers meticulously measured water flow at various points in the canal system to determine conveyance efficiency. They also assessed on-farm water application efficiency by measuring the amount of water applied to crops and monitoring soil moisture levels.

The data collection involved a comprehensive approach, combining direct field measurements with surveys and group discussions with local farmers. This multifaceted approach provided a holistic view of the irrigation system's performance and the challenges faced by the community.

Canal Conveyance Efficiency: The study revealed significant water losses in the canal system, with mean conveyance efficiency values of 86.17% for main canals, 86.26% for secondary canals, and a shockingly low 55.97% for tertiary canals.
On-Farm Water Application Efficiency: The overall on-field water application efficiency was a dismal 53.13%, indicating that more than half of the water intended for crops was being wasted.
Key Problems: The poor performance was attributed to a combination of factors, including illegal water abstraction, sedimentation of canals, and inadequate operation and maintenance.

These numbers paint a stark picture. Imagine more than half of your paycheck disappearing before you could use it – that's essentially what's happening with the water in these irrigation systems. The consequences are far-reaching, impacting crop yields, farmer incomes, and the overall sustainability of agriculture in the region.

Turning the Tide: Practical Solutions for Irrigation Success

The study's findings underscore the urgent need for improved management and maintenance practices in small-scale irrigation schemes. By addressing the issues of illegal water abstraction, sedimentation, and inadequate infrastructure, it's possible to significantly improve water efficiency and boost agricultural productivity. Adequate maintenance and suitable management approaches are required to improve the irrigation system performance. Efficient water saving can be achieved by keeping the conveyance losses to minimum. Farmers may be provided trainings on water management and irrigation practices to avoid any undesirable impacts of irrigation.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5897/ijwree2018.0800, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of Canal Water Conveyance And On-Farm Water Application For A Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme In Ethiopia

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

Publisher: Academic Journals

Authors: Shumye Alebachew, Pratap Singh Ing

Published: 2018-09-30

Everything You Need To Know

What specific irrigation scheme was evaluated in the study within Ethiopia, and what was the primary goal of the research?

The study focused on the Lemchek-Sewur small-scale irrigation (SSI) scheme in Ethiopia. The primary goal of the research was to determine the extent of water loss throughout the system and assess how efficiently the water was being utilized in the fields. This included evaluating both water conveyance efficiency within the canals and on-farm water application efficiency to understand the overall performance of the irrigation scheme.

What were the key findings regarding water conveyance efficiency within the Lemchek-Sewur irrigation scheme?

The study uncovered significant water losses at different points within the canal system. The mean conveyance efficiency was 86.17% for main canals, 86.26% for secondary canals, and a notably low 55.97% for tertiary canals. This shows a substantial amount of water was lost between the source and the fields, with the tertiary canals being particularly inefficient.

What was the on-farm water application efficiency in the Ethiopian study, and what does this imply for agricultural productivity?

The overall on-field water application efficiency in the Lemchek-Sewur SSI scheme was a mere 53.13%. This signifies that more than half of the water intended for crops was being wasted, indicating significant inefficiencies in how water was being applied to the fields. Such low efficiency directly impacts agricultural productivity, reducing crop yields and potentially farmer incomes, which consequently affects the sustainability of agriculture.

What are the main causes of inefficiencies within the irrigation system studied, and what actions can be taken to resolve these challenges?

The poor performance of the irrigation system was attributed to several factors: illegal water abstraction, sedimentation of canals, and inadequate operation and maintenance. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. This includes enforcing regulations to prevent illegal water use, regularly removing sediment from canals to maintain water flow, and implementing robust operation and maintenance practices to ensure the infrastructure functions correctly. Providing farmers with training in water management and irrigation practices can also minimize undesirable impacts.

Why is it crucial to improve the efficiency of small-scale irrigation systems, and what are the broader implications?

Improving the efficiency of small-scale irrigation systems is crucial because water scarcity and misuse pose major threats to food security and sustainable development. Inefficient irrigation practices lead to wasted water resources and reduced crop yields, impacting farmer incomes and the economic viability of farming communities. Addressing inefficiencies can lead to better crop yields, more income for farmers, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the region. With increasing competition for water, every drop must be utilized in the most efficient manner possible to ensure food production and water resource sustainability.