IRRIGATION AGRONOMY FOR PROJECT STUDY

Gora Cafe Deep Well Irrigation Project

Region Oromia Zone South west shawa

Wereda Dawo kebele Gora Roge

Irrigation Site Gora Chafe Studying year 2015 E.C

Table of Contents
1. Introduction......................................................................................................................................................1
1.1. Agro-Climatic Condition Of The Studding Area...........................................................................................1
1.2. Land Use.....................................................................................................................................................2
1.3. Agricultural System And Techniques of District And Peasant Association..................................................2
1.4. Crop Production.........................................................................................................................................4
1.4.2. Major Crops Cultivated Area and Average Productivity..........................................................................5
Of The District & Peasant Association..............................................................................................................5
1.4.3. Labor Requirement For One Hectare Of Land.....................................................................................6
1.5. Animal Production.....................................................................................................................................9
1.6. Major Agricultural Problems Of Studying Area.........................................................................................10
2. Objectives Of The project Study.....................................................................................................................10
2.1. General Objectives...................................................................................................................................10
2.2 Specific Objectives....................................................................................................................................11
3. Irrigated Agriculture.......................................................................................................................................11
3.1 . Proposed Crops For Irrigation Development.........................................................................................12
3.2. Crop Management....................................................................................................................................13
3.2.1 Planting System And Management....................................................................................................13
3.2.2. Crop protection................................................................................................................................13
3.3. Labor Requirement...................................................................................................................................14

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1. Introduction

1.1. Agro-Climatic Condition Of The Studding Area

The Ecology of Dawo wereda is located in the Tropical Sub Humid and dominated by Mid- High Land
situation. I .e. 25% of the wereda is High Land and 75% is Mid- Altitude.

The altitude of the District is range in between 2050 – 3100 m.a.s. The geographical location of
the center of command area of the project site is laid on altitude of 2102 m.a.s.

Generally the rain nature is Mono-modal and occurred at May to September months. Summer
season is the main rain season on which the major agricultural activities are takes place. The highest
rain period is at July to August months. In the studding area, the rain fall is not occurred with a fixed
schedule in Frequency, Duration and Intensity. The range of Annual Rain Fall registered on the
district is 900-1400 /mm/year. Months of long rain are July and August at Summer Season.

The minimum values of temperature recorded in the District is 140c at August and the maximum
temperature is 250c at December months.

Most of cultivated land of the district is continuously used for crop production for a long time.
Majority of the wereda’s land which is used for farming activities is gentle slop nature and not affected
by erosion. But Because of the many factors the soil fertility of the District is medium to low
condition.

As reported data of Wereda Agricultural Office, the soil texture of the district is mostly clay. And
the coverage is classified as 50% clay, 31% clay loam, 11% Sandy Clay and 8% Silt Soil condition.
In the view of actual field observation and comments of the society, the soil nature of the project Area
has mostly Clay and Clay Loam texture. These soil nature have also 15-20 % water holding capacity.
The slop of irrigable land of project area is nearly gentle slop which dose not exceeds 2%, So that it
was convenient to evenly distribution of irrigation water. the soil fertility of the specific command
area is estimated as medium to low fertility.

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1.2. Land Use pattern
Over all Land Use Pattern of the District and Peasant Association of the Project Area is shown
in the following table.

Land use pattern District area Peasant Association

coverage (ha) Land use (ha)
Cultivated Land 29,077 2,482
Grazing Land 6,173 280
Forest, Bush And Shrub 1,698 -
Hilltop, Gullies &Clift Area 1,026 20
Social Service Area 2,233 68
Lack and Water body 594 -
Others 475 78
Total 47,985 2,840
Source :- Agriculture Office of the wereda

1.3. Agricultural System And Techniques of District And Peasant Association

Based on the rain fall condition mixed farming is conducted in the District and project studying area.
The major field crops like Cereals (Teff, Wheat, Barley, Maize, Sorghum), Pulses (Bean, Peas, Lentil,
Grass Pea) are cultivated at Belg and summer season. Chick Pea is the only crop which is widely
cultivated on spring season and some Oil Crop (Flax, Niger Seed Rap Seed) are cultivated in Rain-Fed
condition.

There is also an Irrigated Agricultural practices and mostly producing vegetable and Cereal (wheat)
crops in the wereda as well as project studying kebele. Irrigation types like Traditional irrigation by
diverting rivers, Motor Pumping based on surface water (Rivers & Ponds) and ground water (Shallow-
Well on maximum 12 meter depth) are used in the area. On the specific studying area, some Individual
as well as grouped farmers are skilled on shallow well pumping water for house hold irrigation use.
Considerable trend of irrigation farming activities are takes place traditionally during the dry season by
using double farm cropping system basically after harvesting the Rain-Fed Crops.

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 Many agricultural problems are identified in both (Rain-Fed and Irrigated) agricultural activities,
productivity is in a medium statues, due to low soil fertility, unconditional climatic fluctuation
(intensity, distribution and untimely rain) and inefficient use of inputs and agricultural mechanization.

Technically, agricultural activities like traditional tillage using simple hand tools and labors, farm
tilling was commonly done by animals (oxen) in the area.

Due to continues cultivation of land for long time, lack of land use management and backward
agricultural practices were leads to low fertility of soil in the studying area. Because of this, using
Agricultural inputs like Fertilizer, Improved Seeds and Chemicals is must to increase farm land
productivity.

However utilization of inputs is not sufficient and application of fertilizer is under recommended
ratio. And here by decline of product is the result. Unaffordable price and credit inaccessibility of
inputs are also the cause of low utilization of inputs. Some improved seeds like Maize, Teff, Wheat,
Chick pea and Lentils are supplied. But not in required amount and types. Supply of Improved seed
verities of pulses and vegetables are not available both at rain fed and irrigated agriculture.

Chemicals of Herbicides (2-4-D, Topic, Paul45oD, Pallas) Pesticides of (Malathine, Diazinon ,

Indosalphine, karate, farate) are commonly used in the wereda.

All Agricultural Inputs and Chemicals are supplied jointly through cooperative union and Agricultural
office of the District. As reported by farmers and Agricultural office of the wereda, Insect/pests like Teff
shoot fly, cut worm, African ball worm, Army worm, stalk borer, weevils, potato tuber moth, whitefly,
Trips are common in the project area.

Crop Disease like wheat rust, FHB, Ascecavity blight, Chocolate spot, Scald, Rust of Cereals (Steam
rust and Leaf rust) are registered in the wereda.

Crop weeds such as broad leaved, (Orobanches, Striga, Amaranths, Peritoneum, etc. Grass spices like
Snodos ductlone, Guizot scarab, Datura Stramonium, Avena fatua and Seta rid spp. are grown.

As mentioned in the above, On the peasant Association of project area different kinds of cereals, pulses
and same oil crops were cultivated by rain feed. In this condition limited production of crops are
obtained. This is due to ecological problem like flexible schedule in frequently, duration, and intensity

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of rain fall, The community of the area has planned to began shallow-well pumped irrigation schemes
occupied by house hold. This is for the purpose of replacing production lost during rain-fed Agriculture.
So that some farmers of the peasant association of the project were adopted and have an experience on
Motor Pump irrigation skill. Under this study the total area to be developed in modern deep well
irrigation project is estimated about 92 ha of land and covered 184 House Hold farmers.

1.4. Crop Production

1.4.1 Major Crops and Their Agricultural Calendar of District

Major crops Land preparation time Sowing time Harvesting time

Rain fed Crops
Teff April – July July November – December
Wheat March June October - November
Barley May June October-November
Maize March May November
Sorghum March April December
Bean May June October
Peas May June October
Chick pea September September December-January
Lentil September September January
Grass Pea May September January
Irrigated crops
Vegetables 1st term- September September – October December- January
2nd term – January January – February April –June
Wheat November December April

Source :- District Agriculture Office

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 1.4.2. Major Crops Cultivated Area and Average Productivity

Of The District & Peasant Association

Major crops Crop District Peasant Association
A Rain fed Area (ha) Av.yield (qt/ha) Area (ha) Av.yield (qt/ha)

1 Cereals Teff 10999 18 750 16

Wheat 8118 30 140 28

Berly 864 28 - -

Maize 883 42 51 40

Sorghum 248 30 12 30

2 Pulses Beans 959 24 11 24

Peas 459 24 12 22

Lentil 271 16 40 16

Ch. Peas 3524 25 84 25

Rough peas 546 30 60 30

3 Oil Crops Niger seed 58 12 - -

B Irrigated crops

1 Vegetables Potato 15 180 - -

Tomato 78 285 21 160

Onion 450 270 200 240

Beet root 25 120 22 200

Cabbage 65 260 40 260

Green paper 50 80 9 20

2 Cereals Wheat 2738 39 40 38

Sorce : District Agriculture office ( production year 2015 e. c)

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1.4.3. Labor Requirement

The major activities of agriculture are mostly depends on rain fed. And the main and long rainy
season occur in months of between Jun to August. 12 % (3421 ha.) of cultivated land was double
cropped by traditional and water pump irrigation just after harvesting rain fed crops. Based on these
the major cultivation activities and their time table are given bellow-

Labor Requirement For One Hectare Of Land and average cost of production

Main Activities Unit Frequency Quantity/ha Average Cost/expens/ha

Crops Labor seed Fertilizer weedside pestsid Total
e
Teef Ploughing OD 4 3 2400 350 10250 2800 20,150
0
Sowing MD 1 1 200
Fertilizing MD 2 2 800
Protection MD 2 4 1600
Harvesting MD 1 16 3200
Transporting MD+AD 1 28 5600
Total 13,800
Barley Ploughing OD 3 3 1800 360 10250 1400 2400 19,450
0
Sawing MD 1 1 200
Fertilizing MD 2 2 400
Protection MD 1 2 2400
Harvesting MD 1 16 3200
Transporting MD+AD 1 28 5600
Total 13,600
Wheat Ploughing OD 3 3 1800 360 10250 1400 2400 19,450
0
Sawing MD 1 1 200
Fertilizing MD 2 2 400
Protection MD 1 2 2400
Harvesting MD 1 16 3200
Transporting MD+AD 1 28 5600
Total 13,600
Maize Ploughing MD 3 3 1800 400 8200 - 1200 13,400
0
Sawing MD 1 4 800
Cultivation MD 2 16 6400
Fertilizing MD 2 4 1600
Protection MD 1 4 800
Harvesting MD 1 16 3200
Transporting MD+AD 1 6 1200
Total 15,800
A. Rain Fed Crops

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 B. Irrigated Crops

Main Activities Unit Freque Quantity Average Cost/expens/ha

Crops ncy lober seed fertilizer weedsid pestside total
Onion Ploughing OD 4 3 2400 8000 16000 12000 36000
Planting MD 1 80 16000
Cultivation MD 2 40 16000
Fertilizing MD 2 -
Protection MD 4 2 1600
Harvesting MD 1 60 16800
Transporting MD+car 1 4 24000
Total 76000
Tomato Ploughing OD 4 3 2400 1600 16600 5600 23800
Planting MD 1 8 1600
Cultivation MD 2 16 6400
Fertilizing MD 3 2 1200
Protection MD 4 2 1600
Harvesting MD 4 8 6400
Transporting MD+Car 1 4 16000
total 93200
Potato Ploughing OD 4 5 2400 4600 16600 5600 26800
Planting MD 1 12 2400
Cultivation MD 2 12 4800
Fertilizing MD - - -
Protection MD 4 2 1600
Harvesting MD 1 20 6400
Transporting MD+car 1 20 4000
Cabbage Ploughing MD 4 3 2400 1200 14600 5600 31800
Planting MD 1 12 1600
Cultivation MD 2 12 4800
Fertilizing MD - - -
Protection MD 2 2 800
Harvesting MD 1 6 1200
Transporting MD+car 1 32

Note - OD ,ox day / MD, man day / AD, animal day /car

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 -These can be assumed with out irrigation project condition

1.5. Animal Production .

Animal production and husbandry are the main activity and the livelihood of the existing community.
Cultivation activities are supported by animals. Animals also used for food (meat, milk and its
byproducts) and transportation. Animal production is the main component of agricultural development
and plays considerable contribution for economic growth. The main animal feeding system of the
community is based on free grazing, crop resides and sometimes cut & carry is practiced.

Animal Population Size of the wereda

No Animals District level (quant.)

1 Cattle 103,585
2 Sheep 58,095
3 Goat 42,540
4 Hors 13,211
5 Mule 97
6 Donkey 10,585
7 Poultry 150,286
Source:- District Agriculture office ( 2015 E.C)

The common Animal Diseases registered in the wereda are :-

Cattle Disease - Bollin pasturoloses, Black leg, Anthrax, Lumpy skin,CBPP, Mange Mite, FR, Parasit
Equine Disease - African horse sickness, Ulcerative/Epizootic lymphangits, Colic, Foot Root
Sheep & Goat Disease–I/E parasites, Mange Mite, FR, CCPP, Ovine Pasturolosis, Orf, PPR, S/G Pox
Poultry Disease - New costal disease , Coccidiosis, Salmonellosis, CRD, Fol Pox

1.6. Major Agricultural Problems Of Studying Area.

As observed on field assessment and discussion with the concerned parts (agricultural staffs
and farmers ) problems like Road inaccessibility, lack of clean water supply, inadequate

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veterinary services un accusable of rural credit services, minimized fertility of soil, flexible
duration and intensity of rain fall condition, eroded and gullied of cultivation land, absence of
natural resource conservation practice has impact on agricultural activities.

shortage in supply of Varity & Quantity of improved seed of vegetables as well as cereals ,
Lack of supply of chemicals /pesticides, insecticides herbicides, etc, have also contribution in
agricultural un productivity.

Market inaccessibility for agricultural products specially vegetables, Poor Post Harvest
Handling of Vegetable/Cereal crop, un skilled irrigation water use and management are also
problems. shortage of irrigation water supply is vital problem of the area.

No Result Based and Applied Research on Agricultural. Agricultural Extension and

Mechanization service are not deep rooted in the area. Hence Agricultural system of the area
was implied as back ward and traditional. This implies that, knowledge of farmers about cultural
requirement of each crop is inadequate. Because of these and many

Assessment of experience /trend on irrigation schemes of project area.

In the project area the community has trends on pumping irrigation system by using shallow
well /under ground water / in 10 meters . The trend was began at 2002 E.C and producing
different types of vegetable crops. The participant were using pumped water by furrow
irrigation system and practice full extension activities. The reason that makes starting irrigation
at that time is that to supplement /replace/ the product loss at rain feed season, and to generate
additional cash income of livelihood from a plot of land . Further more implementing
irrigation practice at winter season is more beneficial for loosing their own time on irrigation
farm work. The community was raising problems countered on irrigation pactice like lack of
ground water / because of using shallow well /, lack of money / supply of credit / to buy Motor
pump, shortage of fuel, maintenance, high price of inputs/ vegetable seed, fertilizer, chemicals/
market problem, climate change.

Because of the above reason the project community were accepted the study as good chance,
and commented as the project were decline the cost of expanse of irrigation, can participate
poor farmers in irrigation farm, and make job opportunity for unemployed. Can solve market
problems and impute supply when the participant are organized as irrigation users association.

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2. Objectives Of The project Study
2.1. General Objectives
- To maximize the utilization of resource (land, water and labor) so that increasing the role and
Contribution of irrigation development in the productive economies of the country.

2.2 Specific Objectives

- To assess the current agricultural system, techniques and resource utilization of the specific
Command area.
- To develop modern irrigation and implement improved irrigation system and water use
Techniques so that increasing production and productivity of the society.
-To make food supply more secure through improving income and lively hood of the specific
Community.

3. Irrigated Agriculture
On the base of specific command area, effective use of available resource will increases crop
production and productivity. This fact takes party on proposed project area.

The need of irrigation is mainly based on climate condition (rain fall, temperature) as factors to
determine recommendation of irrigation in the specific project area. That indicates irrigation
could be applicable at October – May Monthes.

In the proposed scheme this condition is summarized as follows:

IR = 12P < 30 Where:- P= rain fall(mm)

T+10 T= temp (oc)

IR= irrigation requirement

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source – Waliso Metrology Station
MONTHES
Item J F M A M J J A S O N D

R.F (mm) 6 39 63 79 99 256 277 239 109 20 16 6

Tmp (oc) 25.6 26.7 26.7 26.6 26.9 22 21.6 21.6 21.5 23.2 24.5 25.6

Irign Ir Ir Ir Ir Ir X X X X Ir Ir Ir

3.1 . Proposed Crops For Irrigation Development

Crops are proposed for specific irrigation project area considering different factors & conditions, such
as climatic and altitudinal factors, soil conditions, available source of water, crop water use and
cropping calendar are basic factors to be considered. Not only these but also the skill of irrigation water
use and regular crop management of beneficiaries, method and type of irrigation, availability of inputs
(fertilizers, improved varieties of seed and pesticides/ insecticides) and technical support of services
are basically considered.

Based on the condition of specific project area the following crops are proposed for irrigation

Annual crops Remark

Vegetable crops Cereal crops
Due to soil and climate condition two full time irrigation and as
Onion Wheat
supplementary system is assumed at winter season.
Tomato
Cabbage

The above annual crops are selected for two full time irrigation at winter /dry/ season, by assuming
that the majority of command area is ideally cultivated during the summer /rainy/ season.

3.2. Crop Management

Adequate knowledge about the cultural requirement of each crop is very important for regular
production. Cropping system and management consists vide agricultural activities. Basically field
operation, sowing /planting/, irrigating, weed management, disease and insect- pest management

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 harvesting and post-harvest handling should be considered before the implementation program.
These and other related activities are indicated below.

3.2.1 Planting System, Management & Appropriate Variety of proposed crops

Spacing (cm) Seed rate /ha

Selected crops B/n rows B/n plants Direct sowing
Transplanting Appropriate variety Method of irrigation
Onion 40 c.m 10 15 (kun) 12 k.g Bombey red, Adama Red Furrow irrigation
Tomato 80 c.m 40 - 0.5 k.g Marglob, Galila ‘’
Cabbage 60 c.m 40 - 2kg Cop-hagen ‘’
Wheat 50 c.m 10 1.5 kun Kakaba , Dandaa ‘’

3.2.2. Crop protection

Crops can suffering from weeds, insect/pests and disease. These are the major cause of affecting plants
metabolic activities and /or damaging the whole plant parts. For each and every plants disease and insect/
pests, the causing factors, agents and factors, agents and favorable environmental condition of a particular
plants should be identified during monitoring in the field observation. Damage of crop losses can be
saved by using different control measures.

A.Weed Management

Crops Weeds Controlling mechanisms

Onion Broad leaves, Grass spp. - cultivation
Tomato Orbanche spp. Broad leaves - Deep tillage, Crop rotation, Using chemicals
Cabbage Broad leaves, Grass spp. - Good land preparation /tillage /cultivation
Wheat Broad leaves & Grass spp. - Good land tillage & Cultivation, - Using Chemicals
B. Disease and insect pest control.

Crop Disease Preventing mechanism Insect /pest Preventing mechanism

Onion - Purple blotch - Crop rotation - trips - insecticide chemicals spray
- downy mildew - Seed treatment
- soft rot - Resistant variety - properly drying
Tomato - late & early blight - Crop rotation -field sanitation - African ball warm - using chemicals
- damping off - Using fungicide chemicals - white fly Aphids
- Tuta Aspoluta

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 Cabbage - black rot -leaf blight - Using chemicals -Aaphids, cut worm - using chemicals
- black leg fungus - Using resistance variety -Cabbage mouth
Wheat - Rust, smut, Powdery Mildew, - Using chemicals - Aphids, weevils, - Good storage
- Crop rotation - resistance variety - using chemicals
- Good Tillage

3.3. Labor Requirement

Labor is an intensive part in irrigation development. Each and every agricultural activities should be
implemented for achieving good products.

Labor requirement for proposed crops per hector of land for one cropping pattern.

Proposed crops Activities Unit Frequency Quantity

Onion Ploughing OD 3 4
Planting MD 1 40
Irrigation MD 8 4
Cultivation MD 3 12
Fertilization MD 3 2
Protection MD 3 2
Harvesting MD 1 40
Transporting CR 1 4
Tomato Ploughing OD 3 4
Planting MD 1 12
Irrigation MD 8 4
Cultivation MD 3 20
Fertilization MD 2 4
Protection MD 3 2
Harvesting MD 4 4
Transporting CD 4 1
Cabbage Ploughing OD 3 4
Planting MD 1 12
Irrigation MD 8 4
Cultivation MD 2 20
Fertilization MD 2 4
Protection MD 3 2
Harvesting MD 1 6
Transporting CL 1 4
Wheat Plounghing OD 3 4
Sowing Md 1 2
Irrigation Md 7 4
Fertilization Md 2 2
Protection Md 2 2
Harvesting Md 1 8
Crashing OD 1 12
Transporting CL 1 1
Note-MD- man day, OD- ox day, CL- car loading
These can be assumed with irrigation project condition.

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 3.4. Cropping pattern for five successive production year, the following is proposed.

Selected crops 1st year area 2nd year area 3rd year area 4th year area 5th year area
(ha) % (ha) % (ha) % (ha) % (ha) %
Onion 30 33 30 33 26 28 20 22 24 26
Tomato 16 17 16 17 20 22 20 22 16 17
Cabbage 16 17 16 17 20 22 20 22 16 17
wheat 30 33 30 33 26 28 32 34 36 40
Total 92 100 92 100 92 100 92 100 92 100

3.5. Required Agricultural Inputs

The land which is continuously used for crop production, should needs fertilizer application. In
vegetable crops production N, S, P, Br, & K nutrients are the most commonly lacking. Crops may
affected by Disease, Insect/ Pests, can treated by applying different chemicals (Fungicides,
Insecticides. Pesticides) the following inputs are recommended for proposed crops of one (ha.)

Chemicals Lit (Kg)/ha Fertilizer( kg/ha)

Crops Fungicides Pesticides Herbicide NSPB UREA
Onion 3 kg. 5 lit. 200kg 150kg
Tomato 3.5kg. 4 lit. 200kg 150 kg
Cabbage 3 kg. 3 lit. 200kg `150kg
wheat 3 KG. 3 lit. 1 lit. 100kg 150kg

3.6. Proposed Cropping Calendar

Crops Total date Sowing/planting date Harvesting date Remark

Onion 125 Oct. 15 Feb. 20 -All proposed crops
Tomato 120 Nev. 1 Feb. 30 Will be planted
Cabbage 120 Oct. 1 January 30 after harvesting
15 rain fed crops.
wheat 110 Nev. 1 Feb.20
 This is limited by the climate condition and basic rain fed agricultural activities of the study area.
The major cultivation period of rain fed crops is from April to November Monthes. This is from
land preparation time to harvesting activities. However erratic nature of the rain sometimes
disturbs the sequence. So that, early harvestable crops should be focused at summer season for
success of irrigated crops cultivation at winter time. Based on these, one full time irrigation is
proposed on the project area.. The following table shows the detail cropping schedule.

3.7 Estimated crops yield projection

As per the crop Agronomic management, cultivation system and utilization of proposed inputs, the
following yield projection per a hectare of land for five successive production years is provided.

Production year & estimated products (Qt/ha)

Crop 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Onion 210 220 230 240
Tomato 240 250 260 260
Cabbage 220 230 240 260
Wheat 48 50 52 54

4. Agricultural Extension and Supporting Services

Shortage of agricultural extension services and shortage of agricultural inputs are the main
constrains that may influence the irrigation activities to be implemented. In the irrigation project area
shortage of pesticides, fertilizers & improved seed verities are observed. Farmers are also in need of
supporting credit services on these inputs. Temporary storage and advanced marketing facilities
should be assisted by concerned bodies (Government sectors, NGOs and farmers cooperatives).

For sustainable irrigation development, agricultural extension approaches are required on irrigation
systems, irrigation scheduling, cultivation systems/processes and other agricultural techniques
through agricultural development agents of the project area. Awareness creation on those natural
resource management activities, especially on practical application of water and soil conservation
within the water shade area. The irrigation water users association should be organized and made by
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 laws for governing and wisely using irrigation scheme. Continues training should give on operation
and maintenance of water pump for selected operators.

5. Conclusion and Recommendation

Agricultural lands of the project area is medium fertility and needs fertilizer application for detective
yield production. In addition to these full tillage practices and all cultivation processes are necessarily
required. Practical cropping pattern and crop rotation have. Positive impact for market assessment as
well as keeping soil fertility.

The application of organic materials such as crop residues and animal manure is help full in improving
the structure and fertility of soil. Agriculture and related human activities have their own impact on
degradation of natural resources which could result in unsustainable demand on agricultural land and
water resources. Practical (physical and biological) activities. Soil and water conservation should be
applied immediately.

The community of studding area have more experience on traditional irrigation, and they have a good
understanding on the use of water, also they have full interest on the project development.
Farmers of the studding area can product twice or more times per year provided available source of
water and suitable climatic conditions are there.

Adequate post-harvest management should be practiced, to conserve loss of yield from the
time harvesting to the point of consumption. During crop selections to cultivate, crop water use
should be considered. Hence economic water users, deep root penetration and drought tolerant
crops are more preferable for effective use of water.

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 6. Crop Water Requirement

Crop water requirement refer to the amount of eater required to raise successful crop with optimum
yield in given period or season. Available climatic data were taken from nearby metrological
stations for site reference evapo-transpiration values where calculated using the modified penman
formula crop water requirement for site specific crop (Etc) has been determined formulas bellow.

Where : ETo – Crop evapo transpiration (mm)

Etc= Kc x ETo Etc – Actual crop water requirement (mm)

Kc – Crop cofficent

The estimation of effective rain fall made by the method developed by using bureau of reclamation.

Whear : Pa - actual rain fall (mm)

Pe = Pa x 0.6 – 10, Pe - effective rain fall(mm)

if Pa of month < 70 mm OR

Pe = Pa x 0.8 – 24,
if Pa of month > 70 mm

Effective rain fall was considered for estimating net irrigation water requirement.

Where: NIR- Net irrigation Requirement (mm)

NIR= Etc – Pe

Gross irrigation requirement where calculated based on assumed field application

GIR= NIR/Ep Where: GIR – Gross irrigation requirement.

Ep= field efficiency (project ifficiency)
Climatic factors like humidity, sunny (hot), cloud (cooler), wind speed are influence the crop water need.
The highest crop water needs are thus found in areas which are hot, dry, windy and sunny climates.

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Most vegetable crops (Cabbage, Onion, Tomato, Maize and wheat) are medium to high sensitivity to water
shortage. This is vary with crop growth stages.

Generally CWR is done based on pen-man equation found in FAO irrigation and drainage paper n o
24(1977) & no 33(1979). All the possible data of climatic factors are compiled based on weliso
station. These are shown below.
Wind speed Sun shine Radiation Rain fall ETO
Months c c R.H (%) (km/day) (Hr./Day) (Mi./m2/day) (Mm/Mon) (Mm/day)
Min. T(o ) Max.T (o )

Jan. 11.4 25.6 52 112 8.6 20.3 23 3.83

Feb. 11.7 26.7 49 121 7.9 20.4 56 4.17
Mar. 12.1 26.7 50 121 7.5 21.0 32 4.36
Apr. 12.5 26.6 58 121 6.6 19.7 108 4.07
May. 11.5 26.9 65 121 6.9 19.7 135 4.00
Jun. 11.2 24.0 78 78 5.0 16.4 206 3.15
Jly. 10.5 21.6 89 69 2.7 13.2 212 2.54
Aug. 10.9 21.5 90 69 3.3 14.4 300 2.62
Sep. 10.3 23.2 83 86 4.9 16.9 152 3.05
Oct. 10.4 24.5 59 138 7.7 20.4 28 3.95
Nev. 10.4 25.2 48 130 9.1 21.1 4 4.03
Dec. 10.3 25.6 56 130 9.1 20.4 8 3.87

7. Crop Data and Irrigation Interval

Crop growing period is influenced by climatic condition. If crops planted in the winter /cool season,
the total growing period is long. In Low Altitude the initial growth stage is shorter than High Altitude.
When a crop is harvested “Green” or “Fresh” the late season stage is short. Irrigation interval of each
crop is vary with respect to soil type and climatic condition. Sandy soil need low irrigation interval as
compared to loamy and clay soil. At low altitude crops need low interval of irrigation as compared to
High Altitude. Generally irrigation scheduling is depending up on soil, altitude and crop conditions.
For this study, interval for watering is planned as follows.

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8 .Irrigation Efficiencies
Project efficiencies are determined by the canal system type, skill of beneficiaries, climate and soil
Condition. Considering the above basic factors, the following efficiencies are given as an average
value.

Efficiencies Range This is standard given as:-

Conveyance (Ec) 0.9
EP= Ec x Ed x Ea
Distribution (Ed) 0.8
Application (Ea) 0.6
Project (Ep) 0.43

 Irrigation Interval: An irrigation Interval is mainly depending up on soil, water and crop condition.
To prepare Irrigation water Scheduling, the interval of applying water in irrigable land is primarily
set. As per the calculation level, only interval for watering is planned as follows.

Where- I = Irrigation Interval (days)

I = (P. Sa) d P = factor depletion level (%) A.V

Sa = total applied water (mm/M)

Etc

Crop Development stage(days)

Total
Crop days d p (Sa) P.Sa Etc I (days)
Initial DevelopmentMid-season late-season (mt) (%) (mm/m) (mm/dy)
stage stage stage stage

Onion 25 50 30 15 120 0.5 0.40 200 80 3.20 12

Tomato 25 40 40 25 130 0.8 0.40 200 80 3.40 18

Cabbage 20 30 50 20 120 0.45 0.45 200 90 3.43 12

wheat 15 25 40 30 110 0.8 0.50 200 100 3.40 23

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 d = effective root depth (m)

Etc = Crop evapo- transpiration (mm/day), ----- Etc = Eto x Kc

Deplation level (%) *An average

Crop Development stage(days)
of 14 - 20
days
Initial Development Mid-season stage late-season stage Irrigation
Crop stage stage Interval is
Onion 0.5 0.75 1.05 0.85 0.25 ideal.
Tomato 0.45 0.75 1.15 0.8 0.40
Cabbage 0.45 0.75 1.05 0.9 0.45
wheat 0.35 0.75 1.15 0.70 0.55
 Crop
coefficient (Kc)– For crops proposed for irrigation project Crop coefficient values are taken from
FOA I & D paper 24 are presented in the following.

 Irrigation Depth (D.) Is calculated by considering the soil type and crop condition as major factors.
Different soil type consist different irrigation depth. The soil nature of the project Area has mostly
Clay and Clay Loam texture. There for these type of soils have 75-100 cm. effective soil depth for
cultivation and estimated as slow to medium permeability to water. Not all water which is applied to

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 the field can be used by the plant. Crop root conditions (shallow rooting, medium rooting and deep
rooting crops) should be considered.

D = p x Sa x d where D = irrigation depth

Ea Ea = field application efficiency in %
d = root depth
Sa = total applied water(mm/M)
P = depletion level

Crops P (Av) Sa d(m) Ea(%) D (mm)

Onion 0.40 200 0.5 0.6 66 The

Tomato 0.40 200 0.8 0.6 106 soil

Cabbage 0.45 200 0.45 0.6 67

wheat 0.50 200 0.8 0.6 130

condition of the studying area is clay and clay loam soil

Crop____________ Onion
Sowing Date _____ Oct - 15
Harvesting Date __ Feb- 20
Area ( Ha) 28

Months

no Items J F M A M J J A S O N D

1 Eto (mm/month) 115 125 131 122 120 95 76 79 91 118 121 116

2 Kc 1.05 0.85 0.5 0.75 0.75

3 Etc (mm/month) 121 106 59 91 87

4 p.r.f (mm/month) 23 56 32 108 135 206 212 300 152 28 4 8

5 Eff.rf (mm/month) 3.8 23.6 9.2 62.4 84 140.8 145.5 216 97.5 6.8 0 0

6 Net irrn requirement 117 82 52 91 87

7 Project eff 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43

8 Gross irr. Req (mm/month) 272 190 121 211 193

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 9 Gross irr. Req (lit/s/ha) 1.05 0.73 0.47 0.8 0.75

10 Gross irr. Req (lit/s/ha) 1.8 1.25 0.8 1.4 1.3

for 14 hrs

Maximum crop duty is 1.8 lit/sec/ha for this crop

Crop ____________ tomato

Sowing Date ______ Nev. 1
Harvesting Date ___ Feb. 30
Area (Ha)----- 16

Months

no Items J F M A M J J A S O N D

1 Eto (mm/month) 115 125 131 122 120 95 76 79 91 118 121 116

2 Kc 1.15 1.15 0.8 0.45 0.75

3 Etc (mm/month) 132 144 105 54 87

4 p.r.f (mm/month) 23 56 32 108 135 206 212 300 152 28 4 8

5 Eff.rf (mm/month) 3.8 23.6 9.2 22.4 45.6

6 Net irrn requirement 128 120.4 95.8 31.6 41.4

7 Project eff 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43

8 Gross irr. Req (mm/month) 297 280 223 73 96

9 Gross irr. Req (lit/s/ha) 1.14 1.1 0.8 0.28 0.37

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 10 Gross irr. Req (lit/sec/ha) 1.9 1.8 1.5 0.5 0.6

for 14 hrs)

Maximum crop duty is 1.9 lit/sec/ha

Crop_____________ Cabbage
Sowing Date ______ Oct- 1
Harvesting Date ___ January 30
Area ( Ha) ------ 16

Months

no Items J F M A M J J A S O N D

1 Eto (mm/month) 115 125 131 122 120 95 76 79 91 118 121 116

2 Kc 0.9 0.45 0.75 1.05

3 Etc (mm/month) 103.5 53 91 121.8

4 p.r.f (mm/month) 23 56 32 108 135 206 212 300 152 28 4 8

5 Eff.rf (mm/month) 3.8 6.8 0 0

6 Net irrn requirement 99.7 46.2 91 121.8

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7 Project eff 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43

8 Gross irr. Req (mm/month) 232 107 211 283

9 Gross irr. Req (lit/s/ha) 0.9 0.41 0.81 1.1

10 Gross irr. Req (lit/sec/ha) 1.5 0.7 1.4 1.8

for14 hrs)

Maximum crop duty of this crop is 1.8 lit/sec/ha

Crop_____________ wheat
Sowing Date ______ Nev. 1
Harvesting Date ___ Feb. 15
Area ( Ha) 30

Months
Items

J F M A M J J A S O N D
No

1 Eto (mm/month) 115 125 131 122 120 95 76 79 91 118 121 116
2 Kc 1.15 0.7 0.35 0.75
3 Etc (mm/month) 132 87.5 42.4 87
4 p.r.f (mm/month) 23 56 32 108 135 206 212 300 152 28 4 8
5 Eff.rf (mm/month) 4 23.5 0 0
6 Net irrn requirement 128 64 42.4 87

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7 Project eff 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43
8 Gross irr. Req (mm/month) 297 149 98 202
9 Gross irr. Req (lit/s/ha) 1.14 0.57 0.37 0.78
10 Gross irr. Req (lit/sec/ha) 1.9 1 0.65 1.3
for 14 hrs)
The maximum crop duty for this crop is 1.9 lit/sec/ha

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