Abstract:
This study assesses the performance of Gumarenga small scale irrigation project by testing their level of performance using minimum set of performance indicators. To this effect, agricultural and water delivery performance indicators are used. The study has been conducted by collecting and analyzing secondary and primary data like meteorology, soil, discharge at the main and field canals, crop variety, crop production, command area, irrigated area and water delivery. The project designed command area is 40ha, but actual irrigated land is 14.4ha and also the proposed crops for irrigation are potato 18ha, onion 12ha and tomato10ha, but irrigated crop was only potato covering 14.4ha. The results of water delivery of Gumarenga irrigation project were found to be as annual relative water supplied is 1.08 and annual relative irrigation water supplied 1.05. Agricultural performance indicators were found to be as annual output per unit cropped area of 12ton/ha and output per unit command area of 34560ETB/ha with irrigation ratio of 0.36. In general, the project needs to revise its irrigation schedule, irrigation water management, efficiencies, irrigation area and crop variety. For best management and sustainable irrigated agriculture of the Gumarenga small scale irrigation project is important to plan the Season‟s Irrigation and maximizing application efficiency.