Challenges and Opportunities of Small-Scale Irrigation Practice in Abay Chomen District of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopian economy is highly dependent on agriculture which is dominated by traditional rain-fed small-scale farmers. The government is working on irrigation development giving special emphasis to research activities on irrigation at different scales. In this study, two-stage sampling technique was used to select 167 target respondents. The primary data were collected using an interview schedule and conducting focus group discussions and key informant interview. Various documents were reviewed to collect the secondary data. Moreover, different constraints related with lack of market access, topography associated with distance of land from water source, inadequate government support, and poor or nonexistent market linkage, poor irrigation water management and development were forwarded by the participants. To solve the problems and improve small-scale irrigation practice, the government, should attempt to hamper factors that hinder small-scale irrigation practice and enhance factors that initiates small-scale irrigation practice.

Keywords: Abay Chomen District, Challenges, Opportunities, Small-Scale Irrigation Practice

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-17-03

Publication date:September 30^th 2021