Application of the International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID) Benchmarking Indicators in Performance Assessment of Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kisumu County, Kenya. A Comparative Study

Abstract

Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kenya grows rice under irrigation. The current state of the scheme is unsatisfactory because of poor performance. It is important to evaluate the scheme to come up with measures that will assist the scheme’s managers to better understand the system they control to bring about improvements. The main objective of this study was to apply the IPTRID benchmarking indicators in performance assessment of Ahero Irrigation Scheme. The specific objectives were to: determine the hydraulic performance of the irrigation system; evaluate the financial performance of the irrigation system; and assess the rice crop-water productivity performance of the scheme. The research study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs. The primary and secondary data types were collected. The random sampling technique was employed in data collection. Specialised software was used in data analysis. The hydraulic performance evaluation found that the earthen main canal of length 14.3km lost 16.8% of the irrigation water as conveyance losses. Some of the water control structures like division boxes and sluice gates along the main canal were not functioning properly because they were aged or vandalized. The financial assessment found that the operation and maintenance revenue collected from farmers covered 22.2% of the expenses incurred in offering irrigation and drainage services. The energy cost was the biggest accounting for 54.7% of the total expenditure. The rice crop-water productivity for the scheme was 0.341kg/m3 and was found as poor because of conveyance losses and field application losses of irrigation water. The study concluded that substantial amount of irrigation water was lost as conveyance losses. The water control structures were not functioning properly. The operation and maintenance revenue collected from farmers could not sustain expenses incurred in offering irrigation and drainage services. The rice crop-water productivity for the scheme was low. This study recommends that; the earthen main canal be lined with impermeable lining, water control structures be rehabilitated, collected revenue be reviewed, alternative or supplementary sources of energy be developed, and irrigation water be supplied via gravity. Further studies should be conducted to determine the effects of sediments carried by pumped irrigation water on performance of the electric pumps.