1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
[AHW21-P04] Hydrological and Land suitability Analysis for Flood-based productivity in Afar Region, Ethiopia
Keywords:Flood Area, Soil, and land Suitability
One of the driest regions in Ethiopia is the Afar region. Much of the area is classified as arid- and semi-arid, with annual rainfall ranging from less than 144 mm near the desert's edge in Asiata and Dedal to just over 800 mm in Chifra and Dulecha. The region experiences more than 27.5 0C on average and fewer than 300 mm of rainfall on average (53% of the region). There are little to no water resources available from rainfall for most of the year that can be used beneficially.
The pastoral and Agro-pastoral ways of life are practiced by the people of Afar. Irrigation, spate, and river water abstraction are used in the area to produce crops. As a result, pastoralism is the primary farming strategy in the region, with sporadic crop farming techniques used in some locations. Flooding in the area could have disastrous effects if it coincides with the current vulnerable systems due to the changing climates and increased frequency of extreme events anticipated in the Ethiopian highlands. if floods are well managed, they can serve as a source of livelihood by recharging groundwater levels, improving soil fertility, and water availability for livestock drinking, agriculture, and household use. They can be also very important sources of much-needed water for growing crops.
In such a moisture-stressed location, the capacity to provide alternative water sources and install effective rainwater management systems is crucial for creating a productive system that will support sustained agricultural expansion, rural development, overall economic growth, and efficient utilization of the region’s land resources.
For this study, we applied the simplest approach using the surface runoff coefficient method. In this method, the surface runoff is a percentage of precipitation considering all the factors that affect runoff. We also used the rational formula to estimate the peak runoff for the watersheds contributing to floods that are the potential to be used for spate irrigation. The isohyetal method was applied to get the areal average rainfall over the selected sites. soil samples are taken in different locations of the area for soil and land suitability analysis.
The result of this study based on samples of the districts mapped for site-level validation has proved the presence of potentials both in terms of floods and water. The hydrologic analysis resulted in the availability of an estimated 796 million m3/year that could be available for growing crops typical of the region, i.e., (Sorghum, maize, forage, and vegetables) using spate irrigation. Physical land suitability evaluation for irrigation was carried out for the region, following FAO methodology for general irrigation farming. Land suitability analysis resulted in 877,000 ha that can be used to grow crops. Implementation of flood-based irrigation developments could help to bring several economic and social benefits to the community. These include improved economic and environmental status through increased crop & forage production and increased production time.
The pastoral and Agro-pastoral ways of life are practiced by the people of Afar. Irrigation, spate, and river water abstraction are used in the area to produce crops. As a result, pastoralism is the primary farming strategy in the region, with sporadic crop farming techniques used in some locations. Flooding in the area could have disastrous effects if it coincides with the current vulnerable systems due to the changing climates and increased frequency of extreme events anticipated in the Ethiopian highlands. if floods are well managed, they can serve as a source of livelihood by recharging groundwater levels, improving soil fertility, and water availability for livestock drinking, agriculture, and household use. They can be also very important sources of much-needed water for growing crops.
In such a moisture-stressed location, the capacity to provide alternative water sources and install effective rainwater management systems is crucial for creating a productive system that will support sustained agricultural expansion, rural development, overall economic growth, and efficient utilization of the region’s land resources.
For this study, we applied the simplest approach using the surface runoff coefficient method. In this method, the surface runoff is a percentage of precipitation considering all the factors that affect runoff. We also used the rational formula to estimate the peak runoff for the watersheds contributing to floods that are the potential to be used for spate irrigation. The isohyetal method was applied to get the areal average rainfall over the selected sites. soil samples are taken in different locations of the area for soil and land suitability analysis.
The result of this study based on samples of the districts mapped for site-level validation has proved the presence of potentials both in terms of floods and water. The hydrologic analysis resulted in the availability of an estimated 796 million m3/year that could be available for growing crops typical of the region, i.e., (Sorghum, maize, forage, and vegetables) using spate irrigation. Physical land suitability evaluation for irrigation was carried out for the region, following FAO methodology for general irrigation farming. Land suitability analysis resulted in 877,000 ha that can be used to grow crops. Implementation of flood-based irrigation developments could help to bring several economic and social benefits to the community. These include improved economic and environmental status through increased crop & forage production and increased production time.