Irrigation management and institutional arrangements: the case of two smallholder irrigation schemes in middle Awash, North eastern Ethiopia

Smallholder irrigation development at middle Awash areas including the case study areas is the result and part of an ongoing politico and socio-economic transformation undertakings. Until 1980's, livestock production has been the backbone of the Afar economy when they used to pursue the pastoral way of life. Their livestock wealth was considerable and they were almost entirely dependent on it for subsistence. However, this production system had been undergoing pressure over the last four decades and highly aggravated since the end of 1980s as a result its vulnerability to environmental stress has increased. Therefore, because of these ecological and environmental crises and others external factors together with their changing perceptions on the value of their land, the communities residing near the two sides of As\\wash river banks have starged crop-livestock mixed production system. Sabure and Geleele Dora smallholder irrigation schemes are traditional irrigations systems initiated by the Agro-pastorals themselves since 1990s. With this study, great effort has been made to clarify the state of irrigation management practices and the major institutional arrangements in the two study schemes. To meet the objective, a household survey was conducted during Arpril 2006. Two traditional smallholder irrigation schemes from two different livelihood zones have been selected as a case study. These are Sabure irrigation scheme from Awash Fentale district and Geleela Dora schemes, from Gewane district. Stratified proportionate sampling method was used to select sample households based on the irrigation organization of the irrigation systems. In addition, key informant and expert interview, focus group discussion and direct observations were made to collect data and information from elevant sources. For data analysis, both qualitative assessment and descriptive quantitative analysis techniques were used in combination. The survey result revealed that the organization in charge of irrigation management at the two case study areas is the basic Afar traditional resource management institution following with their principle of rationality ideology for water allocation and distribution at local level. However, the survey findings show that lack of formally established WUAs at the two schemes has negatively affected the negotiating power of the stallholders' informal organizations with other water users and external institutions in relation to their water rights. Another major finding by this study is that lack of better institutional arrangement (for water and land uses) at Middle Awash including at the two case study areas, is the major challenge for the productivity of the smallholder irrigation sub-sector. The legal and institutional problemms in the water sector has resulted in artificial water scarcity for the smallholder irrigators and has negatively affecting the productivity and cropping pattern of the sub-sector. Finally, a number of conclusions and recommendations have been drawn about requirements for better performance and sustainability of the smallholder irrigation sub-sector at Middle Awash as a whole including at the two case study areas.