Analysis of the social and physical factors affecting irrigation scheme performance: The case of the Omo Gibe river basin in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region, Ethiopia

One hundred years ago, irrigation development began in Ethiopia, but the efficiency and sustainability of the developed scheme have remained very low. As a result, this study aimed to assess the factors that most frequently affect a scheme's performance. The study analysed general physical and social performance indicators. Structural and social factors were used to identify the most common causes of underperformance of the schemes in the Omo Gibe river basin. Frequency analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The relative operational scheme performance and relative irrigated area were 32 and 31%, respectively. The beneficiary to target performance was 63%. Structural and social factors such as flooding and subsequent damage to the under sluice and lack of participatory approaches during scheme development were the most common determinants of irrigation scheme performance. Hence, catchment development and community participation in scheme development are crucial for mitigating irrigation scheme underperformance.