Land suitability and surface water resources potential for irrigation in Becho Plain, upper Awash basin, Ethiopia^*

Abstract

In this study, an assessment of the land and surface water resources potential of the Becho Plain was conducted. Land suitability for irrigated agriculture was evaluated by considering the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) criteria. The land suitability parameters such as soil properties, slope, land use and land cover were used to identify the suitable irrigable land. The analytical hierarchy process was employed to obtain parameter weights, and later the weighted overlay analysis in the geographic information system was employed to obtain the overall suitability of land resources for irrigation. The surface water availability and amount were evaluated by using the calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The water requirement of dominant crops was estimated following the FAO procedure and compared with the available water. Nearly 70% of the land area is identified as suitable for surface irrigation, while the remaining 30% of the land area is restricted for irrigation development. The water supply and demand analysis revealed that there is sufficient water available in the Becho Plain for irrigation development. The physically possible irrigation area and diversion sites were also identified. The Becho Plain has ample land and water resources for irrigation development.However, future developments shall also consider downstream water use to implement sustainable irrigation development.

Land suitability for irrigation of small reservoirs using spatial techniques in the upper regions of Ghana

“…The irrigation suitability analysis described in the aforementioned sections tries to develop a GIS-based map of distance to water, land use, digital elevation model (DEM) and soil physiochemical parameters of the study areas, as seen in Figures 3-12, which is similar to studies across the world (Gonfa et al, 2021;Hagos et al, 2022;Hussien et al, 2019;Teshome & Halefom, 2020;Tolera et al, 2023;Wubalem, 2023). Additionally, it takes into account the drainage capabilities of soils and their prospective usefulness for irrigation purposes (Figure 8).…”

Land suitability analysis using a multicriteria decision‐making approach for optimal irrigation in a medium irrigation scheme in West Bengal, India

“…The study showed that approximately 27% of the land is highly suitable for irrigation and suggested that the government should enhance the irrigation schemes of this region. Gonfa et al (2021) evaluated suitable irrigated land for surface irrigation of the Becho Plain, Upper Ethiopia, using the AHP. They selected four parameters for the analysis, soil, slope and LULC and used SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) to analyse the availability of surface water.…”

Evaluating land suitability and water availability for surface irrigation in the Abbay basin of Ethiopia

“…Water resource planning for surface irrigation requires information about the land suitability, water availability and water requirements of crops in irrigable areas in time and space [22,23]. Evaluating the potential of water resources and areas suitable for irrigation purposes helps to increase water and crop productivity and cost-effective use of land resources [24,25].…”