African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6915

Article in Press

Optimizing Water Use Efficiency via a Comprehensive Assessment of Hydraulic and Hydrologic Factors in the Gomit Irrigation Scheme, South Gondar, Ethiopia

Dessie Wubetu Melsse, Moges Animut Tegegne, Teshager Mekonen Ayele

  •  Received: 18 December 2024
  •  Accepted: 18 December 2024
The Gomit Irrigation Project plays a crucial role in agricultural production, highlighting the urgent necessity to analyze hydraulic and hydrologic factors that influence water utilization efficiency. This study explores the intricate relationship between the hydraulic dynamics and hydrologic mechanisms of irrigation systems, aiming to enhance water usage in farming practices. It evaluates hydraulic elements including Manning's roughness coefficient and transmission characteristics, alongside hydrologic factors such as flow behavior, rainfall trends, evaporation rates, and sediment transport processes. The research suggests actionable strategies to bolster water efficiency in the Gomit Irrigation Project by reviewing existing irrigation frameworks, evaluating crop water needs, and encouraging eco-friendly farming techniques. The Aqua Crop for Windows (Version 7.0) application and empirical formulas were utilized to gather information on soil water balance and content, offering data-driven suggestions for enhancements. The ETO calculator reveals that the main canal operates at only 40% hydraulic efficiency, which is insufficient to meet the growing water demands. Recorded water requirements for January, February, and March were 0.09, 2.2, and 2.03 m³/sec, respectively, with seepage resulting in a discharge loss of 0.0465 Liters/sec. This research significantly contributes to discussions on agricultural water management, advocating for effective approaches to tackle pressing water scarcity challenges.

Keywords: Water Use Efficiency; Aqua Crop; Hydrology factors; Hydraulic factor