| Abstract: | The study on impacts of irrigation-based agriculture on food security in semi-arid areas
has been conducted as a case study on the Tibla Irrigation-based Integrated
Development Project, which is located in the three adjacent districts of Jeju, Sire and
Merti, all of which are administratively found in Arsi Zone of Oromia Regional State in
Ethiopia. The main objective of this irrigation-based development project is to tackle
the problem of food insecurity and thereby enhance further development endeavours
in the project area and its surroundings. The project envisages that through the
implementation of the project the food security, the general livelihood and living
standards of the people in the project area and its environs will change and improve. It
is further anticipated that the realization of this development project will induce and
enhance all round development in the agro-practice, in the socio-economic and
cultural aspects of the project participant communities.
The Tibla Irrigation-based Development Project is located at about 150 km away from
the country’s capital, Addis Ababa to the east direction and 95 km away from Asela
Town (Arsi Zone capital). Arsi is the zonal administrative division in which the three
project districts are located. The project area entirely falls in the lowland areas of the
three districts. The project area is situated in the upper Valley of the Awash River.
Awash River is the largest water body in this arid and semi-arid area and the river is
well known for its irrigation potential and this specific project is situated along the river.
The project area is part of the Great East African Rift Valley with the physical feature
of extensive plain land.
The main objective of the studywas to assess the impacts of the irrigation
development project on the living conditions of the project population. It assessed the
impacts of the project on the food security situation of the targeted community and the
role of water users’ associations on the management of the project.
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The specific objectives were to investigate the impact of the irrigation project on
household food securityand overall livelihood situation, assess the extent of
community-based administrative and management structures and systems, identify
strengths including successes and promising practices and limitations that have
impending factors, assess market situations for agricultural production in the irrigation
project and identify constraints therein, draw constructive lessons and document new
knowledge and feasible working systems and strategies and furnish specific,
actionable, and practical recommendations for further improvement of the project and
realization of optimal benefits.
The main tool of data collection was an interview schedule using close-ended
questions in most cases and open-ended question style in some cases. Focus group
data collection method and tool was also used with the extension workers and Water
Users Associations’ (WUA) leaders and ordinary members. Groups of WUA leaders
and members and extension workers in an appropriate number or size participated in
each focus group discussion to collect information on appropriate issues. Guiding
question checklists were employed in the focus group discussions. In-depth interview
data collection method was followed while discussing with government officials,
professionals and the like key informants. Secondary data collection method was
employed to collect relevant data from literature review, from the Districts Agricultural
and Rural Development Office, local administrations and other offices.
The findings of this study had revealed that farmers were able to produce more
agricultural crops from small plot of land for household consumption and some surplus
for marketing. They have ensured household food-security and become self-sufficient
after the irrigation scheme began. The project participants were able to generate
significant income from the cash crops they produce and thereby highly enhanced
household income in a sustainable manner. The irrigators were able to construct
corrugated roof houses, build houses at urban centers, and purchase different
household furniture. Farming households have been able to access improved health
services and send their children to schools. Farmers had started saving in nearby
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banks. Other social services like hotel, grinding mill, and shops has been opened in
the area. There was high improvement in livestock feed coming from natural grass,
forage development, crop residues and adequate and reliable source of water for
livestock in the area have become a reality.This study had further revealed that the
project has created job opportunity for large number of landless youths and women
residing around the project area and for those job seekers coming from different
places.
There were some negative impacts because of the project. Chemical sprays used by
farmers as insecticides were polluting the water used for domestic purposes. People
had expressed concern in that the water will have long-term effect on their health. As
the people and livestock livetogether within the irrigation command area, there were
high incidents of damage to the main canals. Even though the sending of children and
youths to schools, including the opportunity for higher education for youths have
increased with the introduction of the project, some youths tend to drop-out of school
with the opportunities created for easier cash earning. Increases in social malpractices
such as high crime rate due to diverse people migrating to the project area were
visible. The other negative aspect of the project was the decline in the livestock
population. It was due to scarcity of labour to share between livestock rearing and
practicing irrigated agriculture, and shortage of grazing land in the vicinity. Farmers
and extension workers were focusing more and more on the production of cash crops
at the expense of livestock rearing. Therefore, the livestock holding in the irrigation
command area has shown a declining trend, thereby limiting the opportunity of
diversifying household nutrition and income. |
