Groundwater Irrigation Possibility In Ethiopia
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Date
2017-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Groundwater irrigation is an important factor to agricultural production in large parts of the
world. The use of groundwater for agriculture in Ethiopia is low. Many irrigation schemes
obtain water from river diversions in Ethiopia in which only farmers with land near the rivers
gets profit from irrigation, while others are waiting for the rainy season rather than using
groundwater for irrigation.This research investigates the possibility of ground water as
complementary and/or supplemental irrigation, to increase agricultural productivity, creating
food self-sufficiency, overcome the conflict between river water users and to involve farmers
those waiting for rain season. Utilizing groundwater resource for irrigation purpose can be a
key alternative to improve the country’s deteriorating food supply. The main objective of the
study is to assess the possibility of groundwater irrigation in Ethiopia. CROPWAT 8.0 model
was used to calculate reference evapotranspiration. Reference evapotranspiration and agro
ecological zones were used to first classify the evapotranspiration zones of Ethiopia. This
classified evapotranspiration zones were also overlaid by the countries groundwater discharge
and access depth maps using the Arc GIS software. Finally, degree one suitable, degree two
suitable, degree three suitable and degree four suitable groundwater irrigation was determined
in this research. Accordingly, the country has in general about 197,546km
,
283,917km
2
, 276,366km
2
2
area degrees one, degree two, degree three and degree four
suitable regions respectively, were identified and mapped. Such a map is useful for planning
groundwater resources use for irrigation in Ethiopia. This study hopefully can be used as a base
for further research work in the area.
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Keywords
Arc Gis, Ethiopia, Groundwater Irrigation, Reference Evapotranspiration