ew

Vol 6 | Issue 1 | Pages 253-261

Journal of Soil and Water Science

ISSN: 2643-5799

Review Article DOI: 10.36959/624/452

Outlook Water Resource Potential and Irrigation

Agriculture Practice in Ethiopia
Kasye Shitu* iD and Adibar Hymiro Check for
updates
Department of Soil Resource and Watershed Management, Assosa University, Ethiopia

Abstract
In Ethiopia, there has been a general misunderstanding about the water resource potential of the country, irrigation
practice, the role of ground water in every aspect in the country especially in irrigation have been lacking. The general
objective of this review paper was to receive some information about, the water resource potential and irrigation
agriculture practice in Ethiopia from different literatures to provide useful information for decision makers for the
planning and management of the water positional of the country for different use. Different literatures which are related
with this title have been assessed. In Ethiopia, agriculture is a mainstay of its economy, where around 95% of its output
is produced by smallholder farmers. However, with corresponding to the amount and distribution of rainfall crop failure
is unavoidable in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has been started traditional irrigation practice since ancient time for the aim of
subsistence food production due to unavoidable crop failure. Ethiopia has amble amount of water and irrigation land
resource. The surface water potential, groundwater potential and irrigation land of Ethiopia needs update and further
detailed investigation. Because there is no consistent and reliable inventory and well-studied and documented with
regards this resource of the country. With rash study it has 223.09 BCM water resource potential, 5.3 million hectares
of irrigable land. So, as a recommendation it is batter that farther study should be conducted related with the water
positional and irrigation practices of Ethiopia in order to get available document for the future time in order to use the
resource properly.

Keywords
Agriculture, Ethiopia, Groundwater, Irrigation, Surface water and Water resource

Introduction the growth in agricultural productivity, increasing household

income and alleviation of rural poverty, thereby highlighting
In Africa, agriculture forms the backbone of most of the the various ways that irrigation can impact poverty [9-
continent’s economies, which providing about 60% of all 11]. In line with, to meet the food requirements by 2020 in
employment [1,2]. For example, in Ethiopia agriculture is a Ethiopian, the Food and Agriculture Organization for United
mainstay of its economy, where around 95% of its agricultural Nations [12], estimated that food production from irrigated
output is produced by smallholder farmers [3]. However, in areas will need to increase from 35% in 1995 to 45% in 2020.
most parts of Ethiopia, production from rain-fed agriculture
has been highly fluctuating, corresponding to the amount and Although, it needs further detailed investigation,
distribution of rainfall [4]. When there is too little rainfall with according to Kidanewold, et al. [13], the country has about
uneven distribution, crop failure is unavoidable. This is, also a 124.4 billion cubic meter (BCM) River water, 70 BCM lake
common historical event in Ethiopia. water, and 30 BCM groundwater resources. This water has
a potential to develop 3.8 million ha of irrigation and 45,000
Expansion of small-scale irrigation is one of the mitigation
strategies which take under consideration for unavoidable
crop failure due to vary little and uneven distribution rainfall, *Corresponding author: Kasye Shitu, Department of Soil Re-
where dry season streamflow is reliable [5-7]. It is known that source and Watershed Management, Assosa University, P.O.
irrigation is a very old practice, dating back to the earliest Box 18, Assosa, Ethiopia
civilizations of humankind in Ethiopia. According to Kassie Accepted: March 26, 2022
[8], Ethiopia has been started traditional irrigation practice
Published online: March 28, 2022
since ancient time for the aim of subsistence food production
and since 1950’s modern irrigation system was introduced Citation: Shitu K, Hymiro A (2022) Outlook Water Resource Po-
in Awash and Rift Valley basins for production of industrial tential and Irrigation Agriculture Practice in Ethiopia. J Soil Wa-
crops. Irrigation was served as one of the key drivers behind ter Sci 6(1):253-261

Copyright: © 2022 Shitu K, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and S CHOLARS. D IRECT
reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Open Access | Page 253 |

Citation: Shitu K, Hymiro A (2022) Outlook Water Resource Potential and Irrigation Agriculture Practice in Ethiopia. J Soil Water Sci 6(1):253-
261

MW hydropower production. Awulachew, et al. [14] also, there is little quantitative study on the groundwater resource
has indicated that Ethiopia has a large potential of arable potential for irrigation and other nondomestic water uses in
land and great irrigation potential, which is estimated as 5.3 Ethiopia.
million hectares of land of which 3.7 million hectares can
Hence, for a long time in Ethiopia, there has been a general
be developed using surface water sources and 1.6 million
misunderstanding about the water resource potential of the
hectares using ground water and rain water management
country, Irrigation practice, the role of ground water in every
[15,16].
aspect of the country spatially irrigation has been lacking. In
Groundwater is that part of the hydrologic system that the country, water resource potential and irrigation practice
occurs in a geologic environment. It plays an important role in are still poorly assessed, hardly managed, underestimated
water supply, ecology and maintaining river flow. It comprises and under used. So, the general objective of this review paper
97 percent of the world’s readily accessible freshwater and is, to receive some information about the water resource
provides the rural, urban, industrial and irrigation water potential and irrigation agriculture practice in Ethiopia from
supply needs of 2 billion people around the world [17]. In different literatures to provide useful information to decision
Ethiopia, the annual groundwater potential is 40 Gm3 a-1 and makers for the planning and management of water positional
the total annual discharge is 122 Gm3 a-1 [14,18]. However, of the country for irrigation use.
in the country, groundwater is not adequately used due
to higher development and operational cost and lack of Water Resource of Ethiopia
understanding of the resource dynamics [19] as compared to
Surface water resource
surface water of the country. The groundwater in Ethiopia is
mainly used for domestic water use. There may be limited Ethiopia is endowed with a substantial amount of water
cases where the groundwater is used for irrigation and other resources. The surface water resource potential is impressive,
purposes. Despite, some gross estimates [20], and large- but little developed. The country possesses twelve major river
scale assessments of groundwater irrigation potential [21], basins which form four major drainage systems and twelve

Figure 1: River basin map of Ethiopia.

Source: [13].

Shitu and Hymiro. J Soil Water Sci 2022, 6(1):253-261 Open Access | Page 254 |
Citation: Shitu K, Hymiro A (2022) Outlook Water Resource Potential and Irrigation Agriculture Practice in Ethiopia. J Soil Water Sci 6(1):253-
261

large lakes, and differently sized water bodies as indicted in flows out of Ethiopia into neighbouring countries and only
Figure 1. 3% of the estimated amount remains within the country
[13]. As indicated, in Table 1 more than 70% of surface water
As, identified and estimated in different integrated river
of Ethiopia found in westward flow direction (Abbay, Baro-
basin master plans, Ethiopia has 123.09 billion cubic meter
Akobo, Mereb and Tekeze).
surface water potential (Table 1). But this figure needs
update and further detailed investigation. Because, according Lakes are surface water resources that are very important
to Kidanewold, et al. [13] most of the river basin master plan components of the earth’s hydrological cycle, providing a
studies do not take into account the surface water resources variety of services for humans and ecosystem functioning
of the country in open water systems (lakes, wetlands, and [23]. In Ethiopia, like that of rivers, lakes are major surface
flood plains) but, these systems store significant amount of water source. Ethiopia has 12 major lakes. They cover about
water. For example, the Water Audit Modelling Study of the 7,300 km2 area and store about 76.8 BCM of water [13].
Awash River basin shows that 5.7 BCM water is stored and As indicated in Figure 1, most Ethiopian lakes are found in
exposed to evaporation in the lakes, wetlands, and flood central, south, and southwest area of the country. They have
plains of the basin [22]. This is an indicator to change our different drainage and surface area, water depth and water
surface water accounting system to understand the surface volumes as indicated in Table 2.
water potential of the country in addition to rivers and lakes.
Groundwater resource
In Ethiopia, most of the rivers are transboundary and
97% of the estimated annual stream flow of the country The topographic features and general surface gradient,

Table 1: Sum of mean annual flow surface water of each river in the flow direction at outlet of the river basins.

Flow direction Basins included in the section Water resource (BCM) Area coverage share Surface water share
(%) (%)
Westwards Abbay, Baro-Akobo,
Mereb, and Tekeze 86.55 38.75 70.31
East Genale-Dawa and 9.4 33.34 7.64
Wabishebele
South Omo-Gibe, Rift Valley 22.24 5.15 18.07
lake basin
Northeast Awash 4.9 9.79 3.98
No flow Aysha, Dinakle, and 0.0 12.97 0.0
Ogaden
Total 123.09 100 100

Source: Respective Basin Master Plan Studies compiled by the web Master of Ministry of Water and Energy, MoWE [48].

Table 2: Major lakes of Ethiopia and their physical and water resource features.

Name of Lake Elevation (masl) Drainage area (Km2) Surface area (Km2) Max.depth (m) Volume (BCM)
Tana 1,788 1,788 3,156 14 28.4
Ziway 1,636 7,380 440 9 1
Langano 1,585 2,000 230 46 3.8
Abijata 1,580 10,740 180 14 1
Shala 1,550 2,300 370 266 37
Awassa 1,680 1,300 129 22 1
Abaya 1,169 16,342 1,140 24.5 9.82
Chamo 1,110 18,575 317 14.2 3.24
Chew Bahir 570 - 1125 - -
Hayq 1,900 83 23 81.41 1.01
Ashenge 2,440 129 140 25.5 0.25
Beseka 1,900 420 48.5 7 0.28
Total 76.8

Source: Yesuf, et al. [49] Dinka [50] and Awulachew [14]

Shitu and Hymiro. J Soil Water Sci 2022, 6(1):253-261 Open Access | Page 255 |
Citation: Shitu K, Hymiro A (2022) Outlook Water Resource Potential and Irrigation Agriculture Practice in Ethiopia. J Soil Water Sci 6(1):253-
261

regional structure, porosity, permeability and special an area of 924,140 km2 made of Sedimentary, Volcanic, and
geological structure like; sink hole, alluvial fan, dykes, joint, Quaternary rocks and sediments, including the highlands and
lineaments, buried channel, weak zone and fractures and the Rift Valley. In this estimation, the mean groundwater
climatic condition have great role on the occurrence of recharge for the entire country is assumed as 200 mm.
ground water in Ethiopia [24]. The rainfall that percolates
Figure 2 indicates the areas which are more potential
below the ground surface passes through voids of rock,
for intensive groundwater development in Ethiopia. There
fracture, and joints to reach water table. These voids are
are several large areas with potential for groundwater
generally interconnected permitting the movement of
development in all regions especially, in Amhara, Oromia,
ground water. In the country, the mode of occurrence of
SNNPR and Gambela. However, in some areas such as Afar
ground water largely depends on the topographic formation
and South Omo the potential are not so much available
and geologic structure. Actually, the geology of the country
and the present ground water also characterized by salinity
provides usable groundwater and provides good transmission
nature [27].
of rainfall to recharge aquifers, which produce springs and
feed perennial rivers. However, in the country the occurrence In Ethiopia, in addition to regional level large amount of
of groundwater is not uniform because it depends on various groundwater also present in specific watersheds. For example
environmental and geological factors [25]. According to Kobo Girana Development Project Office report
[28], the Kobo sub-basin groundwater resource safe yield was
Geologically, Ethiopia can be characterized with
estimated using analytical method and is found to be around
generalized classifications, such as 18% of the Precambrian
309,942.00 m3/day (186,514.00 m3/day for Hormat Golina well
basement, 25% of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary
field and 123,428.00 m3/day for Waja Golesha Well field) and
rocks, 40% of the Tertiary sedimentary and volcanic rocks,
also according to Taye, et al. [29], on the basis of the water
and 17% of the Quaternary sediments and volcanic rocks [26].
balance model, the mean annual rechargeable water in to the
With the understanding of the nature of the distribution of
Ada’a-Becho plains groundwater aquifers is more than 965 Mm3
these rocks, and the recharge classification of the country,
with 67% contributed by upper Abay Basin and groundwater
Alemayehu, et al. [25] estimated the total groundwater
recharge of the Alaidege valley is about 112 MCM.
reserve of the country as 185 BCM, which is distributed in

Figure 2: Areas which are more potential for intensive groundwater development in Ethiopia.
Source: (Seifu Kebede as cited in [27]).

Shitu and Hymiro. J Soil Water Sci 2022, 6(1):253-261 Open Access | Page 256 |
Citation: Shitu K, Hymiro A (2022) Outlook Water Resource Potential and Irrigation Agriculture Practice in Ethiopia. J Soil Water Sci 6(1):253-
261

The total ground water storage potential in Ethiopia use since ancient times for producing subsistence food crops
is estimated 1 trillion m3 [30]. But the amount of yearly in Ethiopia. These points, simply indicate that, Ethiopian has a
groundwater recharge of the country is estimated about long history of irrigation practices; even it is difficult to know
28000 mm3 [31]. Previous studies, including, Awulachew, when and where it was started.
et al. [14] and minster of water resource report (2012)
Depending on the area irrigated, scale of operation and
showed that, groundwater usage potential of the country
type of control or management, irrigation is categorized as
was estimated at 2.6 BCm3 and this figure is still often
small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale. However, the
quoted. Because, following the results of recently completed
criteria for this category may vary from country to country.
assessment for parts of the country like kobo Girana, Alaidege
For example, in India the irrigation scheme of 10000 ha
and Raya show that, there is consensus that the 2.6 BCm3
is classified as small while in Ghana the largest irrigation
figure is an underestimate and that it needs to be considerably
scheme is 300 ha. In Ethiopia according to Ministry of Water
revised upwards. Based on this problem the research, which
Resources [41], Bekele and Ayana [42], irrigation development
was conducted by MoWR [32] indicates, the best guess in
is classified based on the size of the command area, in three
groundwater potential range between 12-30 Bcm3 or even
types.
more if all aquifers in the lowlands are assessed. In addition to
this, MoWIE [33] was estimated the ground Water Resources ¾¾ Small-scale irrigation systems (SSIS): They are often
of the country with a value of 26 Bm3. After one year even community-based and traditional methods, covering
although, it needs further detailed investigation Berhanu, et less than 200 hectares. Examples of SSIs include
al. [34] was reported the country groundwater resources with household- based RWH, hand-dug wells, shallow
a value of 30 BCM. wells, flooding (spate), individual household-based
river diversions and other traditional methods. They
Hence, like that of surface water of Ethiopia, there is
are always contracted and managed by the irrigation
no consistent and reliable inventory and well-studied and
user and required frequent maintenance spatially
documented with regards to groundwater of Ethiopia. The
after rain season.
groundwater potential of the country shows highly different
values in different time level study. This may occur due to ¾¾ Medium-scale irrigation systems (MSIS): which are
complex geological formation of the country, location of community based or publicly sponsored, covering 200
selected watershed part (initial, middle, and lower part of to 3,000 hectares. Examples of MSIs include the Sille,
the water shed) for groundwater potential estimation, lack Hare and Ziway irrigation schemes.
appropriate expert and others.
¾¾ Large-scale irrigation systems (LSIS): which are
Irrigation in Ethiopia covering more than 3,000 hectares, which is typically
commercially or publicly sponsored. Examples of LSIs
Irrigation practice across the world is vital to successful include the Wonji-shoa, Methara, Nura Era, Tehndiho,
green revolution all year round to achieving sustainable Omo-Kuraz and Fincha irrigation schemes.
development goals in food security, socio-economic and
rural development [35]. Because irrigation plays an essential Spate irrigation system has been used for water harvesting
role in stabilizing crop production by either supplementing from flush floods flooded from larger catchments at upper
or replacing the need for natural precipitation and it makes streams (Table 3). These traditional irrigation systems were
agriculture more confidential, stabilizes crop production by developed and managed through forming a water user’s
protecting against drought [36]. association for functions of construction, water allocation,
operation and maintenance and were headed by individuals
In Ethiopia, it is believed that irrigation practices were long [43]. This, association comprises up to 200 users grouped into
been in use during ancient times with unspecified beginning 20 to 30 groups of farmers who share a common main canal
period [37]. According to Bekele, et al. [38], in Ethiopia, or its branches [40]. It has been used traditionally in Ethiopia
traditional irrigation was practiced before centuries in the [44] particularly in Northeast Amahara, Southern Tigray and
highlands of Ethiopia. Awulachew, et al. [14] Bacha, et al. [39] in some semi-arid areas in Oromia region [40].
and MoA [40] also states that, irrigation practices have been in

Table 3: Major sources of water and irrigation typology in Ethiopia.

Source of water Typology of irrigation

SSIS MSIS LSIS
Rainwater 99 (Spate) 99 (Spate)
River diversion or pumping   
Ground water  99 (Multiple wells)
Micro and small dams  
Large dams 

Source: [19]

Shitu and Hymiro. J Soil Water Sci 2022, 6(1):253-261 Open Access | Page 257 |
Citation: Shitu K, Hymiro A (2022) Outlook Water Resource Potential and Irrigation Agriculture Practice in Ethiopia. J Soil Water Sci 6(1):253-
261

Irrigation Potential in Ethiopia Awulachew, et al. [14] indicated that, as the prevalent
rainfed agriculture production system together with the
Ethiopia has vast cultivable land (30 to 70 Mha), but only progressive degradation of the natural resources base and
about a third of this cultivable land is currently cultivated climate variability has aggravated the incidence of poverty
(approximately 15 Mha). From this, cultivable land of and food insecurity in Ethiopia. For this, Tadesse [45] argued
the country Awulachew [19] estimates the total irrigable that, in Ethiopia food shortage can be minimized if farmers
land potential of 5.3 Mha by assuming the use of existing have access to irrigation water. Based on this point, the
technologies, including 1.6 Mha through RWH and ground Ministry of Water and Energy (currently, Ministry of Water,
water. This is an indicator how much the country has vast Irrigation and Electricity) identified more than 500 irrigation
amount of cultivable and irrigable land, however a small sites with a total of 3.8 million ha irrigable land in different
amount of this quantity is in use now a time. In the country, River Basin of Ethiopia.
this may happen due to lake of technology, environmental
condition, social condition, political condition, and miss The details of irrigation potential per Ethiopian major
understanding of irrigation advantage. river basin are presented in Table 4. As indicated in the
table the potentials of Tekeze, Baro-Akobo, Omo-Ghibe
Irrigation potential of surface water in river and Rift Valley basins for small and medium scale irrigation
basin of Ethiopia project development have not been investigated. This is an

Table 4: Irrigation potential in the river basins of Ethiopia.

Basin Catchment Area (km2) Irrigation potentials (ha)

(Respective recent master plan studies)
Small scale Medium scale Large scale Total
Abay 198,890.7 45,856 130,395 639,330 815,581
Tekeze 83,475.94 N/A N/A 83,368 83,368
Baro-Akobo 76,203.12 N/A N/A 1,019,523 1,019,523
Omo-Ghibe 79,000 N/A 10,028 57,900 67,928
Rift Valley 52,739 N/A 4,000 45,700 139,300
Awash 110,439.3 30,556 24,500 79,065 134,121
Genale-Dawa 172,133 1,805 28,415 1,044,500 1,074,720
Wabi-Shebele 202,219.5 10,755 55,950 171,200 237,905
Danakil 63,852.97 2,309 45,656 110,811 158,776
Ogaden 77,121 -
Ayisha 2,000 -
Total 1,118,074.53 3,731,222

Table 5: Irrigation potential by groundwater in the river basins of Ethiopia.

Basin Groundwater storage (mm) Aquifer productivity yield (l/s) Groundwater depth (m) Potential irrigable land (km2)
Abbay 5,706 3.8 13.7 21,186
Tekeze 4,793 4.1 23.4 1,782
Baro-Akobo 11,070 2.0 13.2 2,603
Omo-Ghibe 7,321 4.4 17.9 10,512
Rift Valley 7,0874 4.6 19.6 1,782
Awash 11,847 5.6 38.8 7,331
Genale-Dawa 15,245 3.2 35.7 208
Wabi-Shebele 16,624 1.6 49.2 4,868
Danakil 7,663 5.7 82.4 523
Ogaden 17,837 1.0 83.0 8,235
Ayisha 12,611 6.6 71.2 -
Total 60,024

Source: Worqlul, et al. [47]

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Citation: Shitu K, Hymiro A (2022) Outlook Water Resource Potential and Irrigation Agriculture Practice in Ethiopia. J Soil Water Sci 6(1):253-
261

implication point that the irrigation potential of Ethiopia is by groundwater.

larger than the estimated irrigation potential by far when
Most of the river basin master plan (surface water source
these uninvestigated basins are properly studied. The water
of Ethiopia) studies do not take into account the surface
distribution of river basin in Ethiopia varies place to place. As
water resources of the country in open water systems
in dictated in Table 4, the distribution of the surface water
(lakes, wetlands, and flood plains) but, these systems store
potential breakdown by size is five percent SSI, nine percent
significant amount of water. So, the surface water potential
MSI and 86 percent LSI.
figure of the country needs update and further detailed
Irrigation potential of groundwater in river basin investigation. Also, like that of surface water potential of
Ethiopia there is no consistent and reliable inventory and
of Ethiopia
well-studied and documented with regards to groundwater
According to Siebert, et al. [46], groundwater accounts for potential of Ethiopia and required further investigation.
43% of the global irrigation water use and is more suitable
Hence, as a recommendation, even Ethiopia has a long
for irrigation purpose as compared to surface water. Ethiopia
history of irrigation practices and high amount of water
has large reserves of groundwater that could be used to drive
resource potential, but both are under quoted still now.
agricultural growth as indicates in Table 5. A large portion
Questions like when and where irrigation state in Ethiopia, why
of the irrigable land is located in Abbay, Rift Valley, Omo
irrigation is not developed based on the irrigation potential of
Ghibe and Awash, Wabi-Shebele and Ogaden River Basins.
the country and others are raised by different scholars. So, to
Abbay, Tekeze, Bro-Akobo, Omo-ghibe and Rift Valley River
answer these questions, it is better that further study should
Basin have shallow groundwater less than 25 m and 3.8-4.6
be conducted related with the water positional and irrigation
L/s aquifer productivity. According to Worqlul, et al. [47],
practices of Ethiopia in order to get available document for
this makes them favourable for small-scale groundwater
the future time resource use planning.
irrigation development.
The exponential growth of the urban population and Acknowledgments
agriculture-led industrial development has resulted in The author would like to extend their deepest gratitude
greater attention to groundwater as the potentially cost- to all their wonderful teachers who share their knowledge to
effective water supply source. As, growing world focus on achieve this point starting from the lower class up to now and
the use of groundwater for irrigation, the government of their friends whom they live in different parts of Ethiopia to
Ethiopian currently implementing irrigation projects by using their friendly support in all their student life.
groundwater. One plan involves nine irrigation projects
covering an estimated area of 8,000 ha, being developed on a Declaration
pilot scale, with 9,000 test wells, 28,000 monitoring wells and
14,657 spring improvements. If this unprecedented Ethiopian Funding
groundwater-centered development plan is implemented Is not applicable for this review. Rather the authors were
successfully at such a scale, it is highly likely that its success done by their own resource.
will persuade other Sub-Saharan developing nations to put
in place the necessary policies, regulations and investment Conflicts of interest
for infrastructure and capacity development for exploring, The authors of this review have no any conflicts of interest.
exploiting and managing their groundwater resources.
Availability of data
Conclusion and Recommendation
All information of this paper is found online published
In Ethiopia, agriculture is a mainstay of its economy. paper.
However, in most parts of Ethiopia, production from rain-
fed agriculture has been highly fluctuating, corresponding Code availability
to the amount and distribution of rainfall. Due to this, when
Not applicable.
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is unavoidable in the country. Ethiopia has been started References
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DOI: 10.36959/624/452
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