Irrigation Management Practices in Tigray

The issue of food security is a serious concern especially in arid and semi-arid regions like Tigray, which is vulnerable to climatic instability and frequent droughts. To see the positive effect of irrigation on livelihood, the management aspect of irrigation must be taken in to account. Nevertheless, the management aspect of irrigation is often neglected while priorities are given to the construction of irrigation. Therefore, the purpose of this study has been to assess irrigation management practices with special reference to Qorir Small Scale Irrigation Scheme, Klite-Awlalo Woreda, Eastern Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. The study has been focused on examining how users were organized for self-management of the scheme and how water management, conflict management, operation and system maintenance issues were practiced and challenges that hinder the sustainability of the scheme also included in the study.