Intervention measures and their effects on farmer managed irrigation schemes in Tanzania:a case study of Musa Mwinjanga irrigation scheme.
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Date
1997
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The study aimed at evaluating the effects emanating from intervention on farmer
managed irrigation schemes (FMIS) was carried out at Musa Mwinjanga Irrigation
scheme. The specific objectives were: (I) To evaluate the scheme rehabilitation status;
(ii) To investigate the causes and magnitude of water losses; (iii) To evaluate water
supply requirements; (iv) To assess and evaluate water management aspects of the
system.
Results showed that the scheme has been operating at low efficiency. The conveyance,
distribution, application and project efficiencies were found to be 53.6%, 53%, 59.8%
and 31.7% respectively.
Low irrigation efficiencies have been attributed to high conveyance losses due to the
pervious nature of volcanic soils and poor command of the canals. Most of the canals
were found running below the field levels. Other reasons include high’operation losses
due to poor water management practices; lack of water control facilities; and application
losses arising from poor land levelling.
The seasonal mean relative water supply (RWS) for plots varied between 0.96 and 2.92
due to inadequate irrigation scheduling and lack of flow measuring facilities. The overall
seasonal mean RWS for the plots was found to be 1.83 with coefficient of variation of
0.354 and standard deviation of 0.647, indicating inequity of water distribution among
the plots.T-test results of RWS within blocks showed no significant difference in adequacy of • supply at 5% significance level. This implies that farmers in sampled blocks were adequately irrigating at more or less equal proportion as per crops water requirements.Organisation of the scheme was found to be fairly appropriate. However, operation and maintenance activities are not timely, effectively and efficiently carried out.•Natural drainage and slopes within the scheme are not efficiently used and managed hence the waterlogging problems in lowland areas of the central part of the scheme. From the study, it is recommended that outstanding physical works left during phase-I should be accomplished. Damaged facilities should be repaired and farmers should be
trained on proper water management aspects.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Irrigation schemes, Irrigation Water Management, Land Classification, Hydrology