Characterization, assessment of the performance and causes of underperformance of irrigation in Ethiopia

Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Lambisso, R.; Asfaw, G.; Denekew, Aster; Ayalew, S. 2010. Characterization, assessment of the performance and causes of underperformance of irrigation in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Development Research, 32(1):55-80 (Special issue with contributions by IWMI authors).

This paper provides study results of irrigation in Ethiopia. Broad performances criteria for national and regional levels of irrigation are established. The national performance according to functioning schemes, command area size and number of beneficiaries as compared to design targets are 87%, 74% and 47%, respectively. These values vary among regions, where Oromia has the best overall performance, with 95% of schemes functioning, 83% of planned area irrigated and 71% of planned beneficiaries seeing benefit. Factors of underperformance related to technical, institutional and support services are identified, and frequency and importance are evaluated for cases of Oromia and Southern Regions.