Community-based Irrigation Water Management System: the Case of Deder District, East Hararghe, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study assessed the local level irrigation water management and its effectiveness in managing communal irrigation schemes in the districts of Deder District, Ethiopia. Results were based on data collected from a survey of 100 irrigation users in the command areas using descriptive statistics and group discussions. The study revealed that corrupt and rent-seeking behavior of WUAs committee members' aggravated variation in contribution for scheme post maintenances. This activity was extremely sever at the tail-end where turn outs are far apart and less amount of water is distributed. It was reported that lack of enforcement of existing bylaws (55%), which is followed by misuse (over or under utilization) ( 25%), has been the most important source of conflict than mere water scarcity (9%). Therefore, the study recommended that it needs building the capacity of WUAs committee members in terms of incentives is more critical for achieving irrigation management goals.

Key words: Irrigation, Community, Management, Deder, Ethiopia.