The Performance evaluation of Irrigation Schemes

Performance evaluation of Irrigation schemes: A case study of Akumadan and Kaniago irrigation schemes in the transition agro-ecological zone of Ghana

Abstract

This work assessed the performance of the Akumadan and Kaniago irrigation schemes in the transition agro-ecological zone of Ghana using a set of comparative performance indicators. The performance of the schemes spanning the years 2018 – 2022 was evaluated using selected comparative indicators categorized into five (5) groups, namely: water delivery, physical structures, financial, environmental condition and agricultural production performance. The challenges of the schemes were also identified through the study. It was revealed that the main pipe at Akumadan had 100 % maximum flow length whiles the canal system at Kaniago recorded a flow length of 64 % due to low gravity-flow in the downstream of the canal. The developed irrigable areas in Akumadan and Kaniago were under-utilised with irrigation rates ranging from 15 – 36 % and 18 – 57 % respectively. The sustainability indices of the irrigated areas in Akumadan and Kaniago were low with recorded values of 31 % and 28 % respectively. Irrigation service charges recovery was poor in the Kaniago scheme with recovery efficiency ranging from 25 – 59 % whereas that of the Akumadan scheme was good with efficiency ranging from 82 – 88 %. A low degree of financial autonomy (25 %) was recorded in Akumadan whereas a high degree of financial autonomy (100 %) was recorded in Kaniago. Some irrigation structures in the Akumadan and Kaniago schemes were in poor working condition having recorded poor structure indices of 27 % and 14 % respectively. The road network in the Akumadan scheme was in good working condition as roads passability efficiency of 100 % was achieved whereas Kaniago had no major road construction in the scheme. The schemes recorded statistically significant p-values of 0.011, 0.004 and 0.006 for soil salinity, sodicity and pH measurements in the irrigable areas. Production in the schemes was gradually declining due to the constant reduction in size of the cultivable area of the schemes. Poor agronomic practices, inadequate surface materials and low gravity-flow were major causes of the low production performance in the schemes.