Abstract:
Irrigation has contributed significantly to poverty reduction, food security, and improving the
quality of life for the rural population. However, the sustainability of irrigated agriculture is
being questioned, both economically and environmentally. We were initiated to assess and
evaluate the performance of Futan and Ganwuha irrigation schemes using internal and external
performance indices. The most used internal indices include conveyance efficiency, application
efficiency, storage efficiency, water delivery performance and external indices such as, irrigated
agriculture Performance, water use performance, physical performance and economic
performance to recommend appropriate measures. The study showed average conveyance
efficiencies 73.7% and 70.53%, respectively, for Futan and Ganwuha. The conveyance
efficiency of the canals was found to be very low when compared to accepted standards that is
for lined canals the conveyance efficiency is greater than 95%. The application efficiency result
on Futan and Ganwuha were 50.29% and 48.72% respectively. These values were also found to
be below the recommended value (60%). The storage efficiency was, respectively, 93% and
92.41% for Futan and Ganwuha. The main reasons for the low irrigation ratio in Ganwuha
irrigation scheme was erosion from Ganwuha River, water shortage due to losses through
seepage and overtopping of canal water. While it was structural failures and farmer’s low
attitude for irrigation agricultural development in Ganwuha. Therefore, close monitoring and
evaluation of the design documents and construction is necessary and the irrigation agricultural
development should be improved by giving regular capacity building training on over all
irrigation water management, irrigation agronomy, scheme operation and maintenance to
beneficiaries. Futan is better than Ganwuha since the overall efficiencies of Futan and Ganwuha
were found to be 51% and 50% respectively.
Key words; Futan, Ganwuha, Performance, Irrigation, Efficiency.