Performance Evaluations of Conveyance efficiency, Field Application, and Irrigation Water User Association in May-Nigus Irrigation Scheme, Central Tigary Northern Ethiopia

Abstract The performance of May-Nigus small-scale irrigation scheme, located in the Tigray National Regional State of North Ethiopia, has not been evaluated yet. So this MSc thesis research was intended to study, the performance evaluation of conveyance, field application indicators and irrigation water user associations of the irrigation scheme. The water conveyance efficiency, water conveyance losses of the main and secondary canal were estimated by measuring irrigation water flow at different locations along the canals with fixed canal length intervals. The canal discharge was measured using Current meter. Accordingly the overall water conveyance efficiency of the main and secondary canal was 80.41% which was below the standard. Field application performance was evaluated by the internal performance indicators of irrigation scheme which are adequacy, efficiency, equity and dependability. These were evaluated by monitoring discharge at nine selected field off takes; three each at the head, middle and tail end of the scheme command area during the crop season from January to March 2024. The corresponding results of adequacy, efficiency, equity and dependability were 0.88 (fair), 0.9 (good) 0.14), (fair), and 0.09 (good) respectively. The performance of the irrigation water user association of the irrigation scheme was evaluated quantitatively based on organizational structure and governance, water allocation and distribution, communication and information sharing, financial management and overall impact and satisfaction of the beneficiaries. Accordingly, the overall impact and satisfaction of the IWUA were evaluated as effective, while the organizational structure and governance were also estimated effective. However, water allocation and distribution, communication and information sharing, and financial management were evaluated as neutral.