Evidences suggest that running water-based agriculture supported by modern technology is essential to enhance production and productivity and to ensure sustainable growth. It is also exemplified by countries that have advanced agricultural practices with the help of technology.
The model is important for a rain-dependent country like Ethiopia. It needs to do more, even as a nationwide initiative to break away from rainfall dependent and strengthen irrigation development.
It seems that Ethiopia is now more focused on irrigation development than ever. One such display is the construction of the Welmel Irrigation Development Project, which covers 11,040 hectares of land in the Bale Zone of Delo Menna district in Oromia State. For irrigation development, the government has set a budget of 2.9 to 3 billion Birr.
Dr. Michael Mehari, Commissioner for the Federal Irrigation Development Commission told Addis Zemen Daily that the government has intensified its work, including the construction of professionals’ housing to complete the project within three years.
Upon completion, the project will benefit a total of 22,000 farmers in four kebeles of Delo Menna district. It also creates employment opportunities for up to 1,500 citizens. The government’s focus on the project and the irrigation development is to achieve its targets.
According to Dr. Michael, Publicized projects are underway in two areas. One that is the largest and most extensive is the aforementioned Welmel project. The other is the construction of an irrigation development project in the area called Chelchel, 170 kilometers away from Robe town which covers 4,600 hectares of land.
Accordingly, three contractors who have won the bid have entered into the projects’ work. The Welmel Irrigation Development Project is run by Alemayehu Ketema, General a private water company, and the Oromia Water Works Enterprise, which helps to bring water to the farm. The Oromia Water Works Enterprise will also undertake works on the Chechel project to bring water to the farm. The water diversion work was provided to the Defense Enterprise.
The reason why Delo manna is chosen for large scale irrigation development according to Dr. Michael is that the area is low land. As per this, attention has been given based on three criteria as a strategy at the national level. One is that the local climate is low, and the other is there are not many residents in the surrounding. Third, such areas are prioritized for irrigation extension in the strategy considering their productivity.
As a result, the Delo manna district, where Welmel Irrigation Development is carried out, is not highly populated and also not crowded. There had also been no problems encountered related to compensation. It, therefore, helps to get to work faster and to complete the work on time. Thus, the project has already been started.
Previous projects had to face various challenges to start and finish in the time scheduled. One of the challenges and obstacles is the issue of compensation. As a result, it is remembered that the negative impact on project delays was significant. When projects completed on time, it will increase job efficiency even as a country. The targeted development will also be more efficient. It also helps manipulate manpower and budget properly.
Having a conducive environment for project work will bring these and many other benefits. In the fiscal year, four irrigation development projects have been launched by the government, including Welmel and Chelchel.
Regarding the capacity of the contractors and clarity of bids, Dr. Michael said: “We did not select bidders and put them into action. They are not selected simply because there is work in their territory. We do not have the right to invite or engage individually. We have issued a public bid for private contractors to compete. Contractors who have won the bid will have an equal opportunity to bid for all.”
One of the responsibilities of the Commission is to submit the work to the body that organizes the work and to submit the work to the region where it is performed. It is the responsibility of the Commission to manage, care and sustainably maintain the irrigation dams. Duties related to seed provision, aid to development professionals and other supports, the agricultural work as a whole, are the responsibility of regional offices that are structured by the woreda, kebele, and state offices.
Dr. Michael shares the idea that there are limitations in the effective usage of high budgeted projects for the intended purposes, follow up and support for the beneficiaries and entering into development work as soon as the completion of the construction.
Adding, he said: “There are problems as a whole. Our responsibility may only be on water discharging. But it is difficult if the irrigation is not exploited for crop production and the farmers are not using it, and if growth is not registered as a country. Therefore, efforts are being made by the Commission to resolve this.”
It is about a year and three months since the Irrigation Commission is set to go to work. During this time, efforts have been made to identify problems reflected on irrigation development as a country particularly, in works-related to integrated activities. The Commission has been working in coordination with the State, the Ministry of Agriculture, and even with the respective offices.
The Commission has finalized the framework for the establishment of centers. Soon, the work will be kicked off. One of the works studied in the structure is Irrigation Development under Adama Center. The center is now tasked with undertaking irrigation development projects, including the construction of Welmel, Chelchel, Arjo Dedessa, Meki Zeway, Adea Becho and projects intended for future construction. For the time being, assigning manpower for the construction of Gidabo, Meki Zeway and Adea Becho is underway following the approval of the structure.
The Commission is working with the initiation to undertake transformative activities in all areas of the country where irrigation developments are underway.
According to Dr. Michael, there is no problem with water supply in shallow irrigation from the river. Irrigation, but not by limiting water supply and dams, is a matter of small scale diversion. This is why irrigation development is said to be cost-effective and efficient.
“There is a surplus of water that we can never use. For example, if we look at the Welmel River, there is a water resource that can grow over 11,000 hectares. The Commission is in talks with the Oromia State and the local government to put more land into development. It is estimated that up to 2,000 hectares of land are available. If it is possible to take care of rivers, it is possible to undertake productive work that will lead to sustainable development.”
Regarding the overall national irrigation development plan, Dr. Michael said: “We are reorganizing the irrigation sector. We plan a five-year and ten-year strategic plan. According to the plan, the first focus will be to identify areas that can be cultivated in lowland areas, low-density areas, easily cultivated and rich in groundwater resources. This work has been done on Welmel River. Construction of large dams is required to irrigate 11,000 hectares of land in other areas. In areas such as the Welmel, large-scale river diversion can be achieved.”
Lowlands of Somali, Afar, Oromia, Amhara, and Tigray are rich in groundwater resources but with non-cultivated lands. The Commission identifies the project phase in the future development of irrigation in these areas. It is expected that irrigation development will be well within the next five years.
“The sector is now receiving significant government attention. A massive budget is also being allocated. According to experience from the fiscal year 2006, the budget has not exceeded one and two billion Birr. Currently, the budget for irrigation development has increased to 15 billion Birr. This is being implemented because adequate resources are expected from the federal government. The support is encouraging and we are working to achieve it.”
While discussing partners supporting irrigation development, Dr. Michael said that efforts are being made to work with support agencies. Agreements are underway with the African Development Bank, Korea, and China Exim Bank. For example, a 94 million USD agreement was recently signed. The support is aimed at developing five thousand hectares of land in Adea Becho. The development of the five thousand hectares will increase the development as it is plus to what was started.
The Ethiopian Herald April 7/2020
BY BACHA ZEWDIE
