The results show that the discharge available to farmers depends largely on the efficiency of the conveyance structures and of the other components of the irrigation system. In the Falalia main canal, conveyance efficiency was 77.74% between the first two sections but fell to 56.81% between the second and third sections, with a cumulative efficiency of 44.2%; the decline was associated mainly with siltation and the reduction in flow area. In the distributary canal, efficiency was only 33.61%, as a result of heavy weed infestation and loss of the trapezoidal shape. The conveyance structures are thus moderately efficient in the upper reach of the main canal but deteriorate downstream and in the distributary canal.
Rice production under border irrigation dominates in the sector, and 86.4% of the farmers identified poor maintenance as the major problem. Although the system still supports farming and most farmers rated its performance as satisfactory or excellent, the measured losses show that constant maintenance is needed. The study covered only part of the scheme, since not all sectors are functioning, and is intended to serve as a foundation and guide for further research.
4.2 Recommendations
Based on the findings, the following recommendations are made:
1. Preventive and corrective maintenance, including regular desilting of the main canal and weed control in the distributary canals, should be carried out to improve system delivery and reduce wastage.
2. Government and other stakeholders should provide the funding and training needed for maintenance and for the organisation and management of the scheme.
3. A more efficient record-keeping system should be adopted to serve as a reference and to forecast future trends.
4. Further studies covering more sections, seasons and sectors, and including direct measurement of seepage, should be undertaken to complement the present assessment.
SAEREM 2026 OCTOBER BOOK CHAPTER NEW.chapter six A
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