Wabi Shebelle Survey Report Summary
Project Overview
Title: Ethiopia-France Cooperative Program - Wabi Shebelle Survey
Date: January 1973
Location: Zone 4 of Gode-South, right bank of Wabi-Shebelle River
Collaborators: Imperial Ethiopian Government, National Water Resources Commission, BCEOM, ORSTOM, EDF, IGN, BDPA
Zone Description
- Area: 23,387 hectares (19,179 ha net irrigable)
- Topography: Flat plain with 0.5m/km slope, featuring a basalt hill
- Soil: First-grade soils suitable for irrigation (33% IA, 33% IB, 33% IC/ID)
- Population: 39,000 people (8,200 settled, 23,600 nomads, 7,200 semi-nomads)
- Livestock: 270,000 cattle, 262,000 sheep, 7,200 goats, 90,000 camels
Development Plan
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Irrigation Network | 5 primary canals (69.8km total), 68 secondary canals, 3,834 tertiary canals |
| Drainage Network | 4 primary drains, 71 secondary drains |
| Water Supply | Diversion dam with 24.6 m³/s capacity, 24.5km supply canal |
| Land Use | 7 sectors (3 for family farms, 4 for large farms) |
| Infrastructure | Road networks, 3 villages for 18,000 inhabitants |
Cost Estimates
Total Cost (1972): 61,350,000 Ethiopian Dollars
Implementation Period: 10 years construction + 9 years agricultural development
Economic Analysis
The project evaluated several alternatives for permanent irrigation with different cost assumptions:
| Alternative | Description | Internal Rate of Return |
|---|---|---|
| A | No dam charges, no freight costs | 30-31% |
| A' | Dam charges + freight (0.10 E$/TK) | 21-22% |
| A'' | Dam charges + freight (0.15 E$/TK) | 18-19% |
| A2 | Dam cost on 75,000ha + freight | 17-18% |
| A1 | Dam cost on 46,000ha + freight | 14-15% |
Key Findings
- Zone IV of Gode-South offers exceptional agricultural potential due to favorable topography and soil conditions
- The project would significantly transform the region's economy from nomadic to settled agriculture
- Economic returns are highly sensitive to transportation costs and dam construction expenses
- Even under conservative assumptions, the project shows satisfactory profitability (14-31% IRR)
- The area is recommended for priority development due to its strategic location and high potential returns