Management Practices and Challenges of Small-Scale Irrigation Schemes in Berbere District, Bale Zone, Ethiopia Debele Birhanu Negeri, Shamim Mohammad Assistant Professor, Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies, Madda Walabu University, Ethiopia. E-mail: biremwu99@gmail.com, mohammadshamimalig@gmail.com Online published on 19 January, 2017. Abstract Irrigation is seen as the means of ensuring food security in Ethiopia and is vital to increase farm output, livelihood enhancement and take people out of poverty. The objectives of the study is to evaluate the present state of irrigation management practices and to identify major challenges that inhibit the development and performance of Sirima and Bora-Galmo small-scale irrigation schemes in Berbere district of Bale Zone, Ethiopia. To achieve these objectives, data was collected from 300 sample respondent irrigators from the two purposively selected “PAs” by distributing questionnaire and this was also supplemented by semi-structured interview and observation. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques to analyze the collected data. The study confirms utilizing full capacity of the irrigation scheme can partly ensured through improving management systems. In the same manner, the study shows strong and adequate organizational set-up in the irrigation scheme is crucial to enhance effectiveness of irrigation and to ensure sustainability of the benefits of the irrigation systems. However, the finding of this study reveals water distribution in terms of three performance indicators such as adequacy, reliability and equity in water distribution were poorly managed in the irrigation schemes of study area. In other terms, water distribution in terms of adequacy; timeliness and equity in the supply of water are not functioning well in the schemes. According to this study deficiencies of WUA committees managing irrigation water, absence of clearly defined water rights of users; technical problems in design and construction; lack of frequent maintenance and absence of sanction on illegal water users are root causes for the problems indicated above, hence hindering the scheme to utilize its full capacity. Finally, based on the findings the study draws important conclusions and forward possible options and strategies for rehabilitation and readjustment of the surveyed small scale irrigation schemes. Top Keywords Small scale irrigation, Berbere district, Management practice and Challenges. Top |