Identification of Major Field Crops and Challenges Facing Farm Households in Case of Gerado Small Scale Irrigation Canal, Southern Wollo, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study is to identify the challenges and major field crops by using small scale irrigation with special reference to Gerado-Bilen and Endod-Ber kebeles of small scale irrigation scheme in Dessie zuria district of Amhara regional state. In order to undertake this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were employed. The qualitative data was used to capture perception and opinions of the respondents on the contribution of small scale irrigation to farm household income by using personal interview. Quantitative data on the household’s resource ownership and demographic characteristics were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The study result indicated that the contribution of small scale irrigation was very imperative especially in those areas where insufficient and erratic rainfall was existed. The study also showed that the major challenges that hinder the optimal utilization of irrigation schemes were: lack of clear water use rights between users, shortage of fuels and lack of spare parts, marketing problem, occurrence of disease and pests, high cost of imported farm inputs and others. Based on the study result, the researcher recommended that; implementing clear water use rights between users, supplying durable and efficient motor pump to the irrigating farm households, creating a market linkage that connects farmers with the consumer to have fair marketing margin distribution, encouraging and advising the farm households to produce variety of crops that have high market price and providing modern farm inputs at a reasonable and subsidized price by the concerned bodies will help the farmers to produce the desired farm products.

Keywords: Small Scale Irrigation, Farm household