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Irrigation is a fundamental scheme for poverty reduction, food security, and proved to better farmer economy through additional income during the dry season. Fuzzy logic algorithm was used in this study because it offers a more nuanced, scalable, and realistic approach to surface irrigation suitability mapping than traditional binary methods making it particularly suitable for complex watershed environments like Keleta. The main aim of this study was to identify suitable potential zones for surface irrigation in the Keleta watershed using a fuzzy logic algorithm in GIS. Fuzzy logic algorithm was used in this study because it offers a more nuanced, scalable, and realistic approach to surface irrigation suitability mapping than traditional binary methods making it particularly suitable for complex watershed environments like Keleta. Factors considered are rainfall deficit, Soil Capability Index, land use land cover, slope, Hydrogeology, Groundwater yield, and proximity to (urban, roads, rivers, and wells). Potential evapotranspiration was simulated based on the modified Penman–Monteith method. Relative weight for each factor was determined by the geometric mean method of Fuzzy AHP. To overlay, GIS-based gamma 0.9 fuzzy weighted overlay operators were used. The results indicate that, based on surface water sources, 18.56% of the area is highly suitable, 33.78% moderately suitable, 30.16% marginally suitable, and 16.86% not suitable for surface irrigation. This means that approximately 52% of the watershed is suitable for surface irrigation without requiring significant land modification. Regarding groundwater potential, 8.34% of the area is highly suitable, while 12%, 32.87%, and 48.01% fall into moderately, marginally, and not suitable categories, respectively. Additionally, a restricted area covering 5.28 km 2 (0.65%) was identified due to environmental or physical limitations. Overall, the findings confirm the feasibility of expanding surface irrigation in the Keleta watershed. The study offers a valuable tool for policymakers and planners to prioritize irrigation development and provides a foundation for researchers and development agencies to collaborate in enhancing land suitability and promoting sustainable and economically viable irrigation practices in the region.
Demelash Debebe Abadefar (Tue,) studied this question.