Summary: Finchaa Agricultural Development Report

APPRAISAL
OF
POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
FINCHAA PROJECT. ETHIOPIA
a Report By
HARZA ENGINEERING COMPANY
Prepared For
WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS
IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT OF ETHIOPIA
MARCH 1965U >                   ^'3
GENERAL CONTENTS
SUMMARY LETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS THE REPORT EXHIBITSSUMMARY LETTERHarza Engineering Company
consulting engineers
RIVER PROJECTS
400 WEST MA^ifQH
Lfli'vi p-DfiAf 11 -laH ii £ h.u ■; n irdQi;-
CHJCJLGO e. ILLINOIS
March 2t. 196 5
Tt _< F.fJ-.f H*!-OiOl. ■■ 4-1*4"
Water Resources Department
Ministry     of     Public     Warks     and  Comm uni c a tic n s P. O. Box 100B
A d di s Ababa . E th a op i a
Aitention;        Ato Assefa Mengesha Assistant Minister
Subject: Interim Report - Appraisal of
Potential Agricultural Development Gentlemen:
We present herewith our interim Report covering appraisal studies
of potential agricultural development# associated with the Finchaa Power Project. Our assignment was to appraise various potential agricultural developments, primarily with respect to the effect Such developments would have on the power market for the Finchaa Power Project, As a result of our investigations, we hive Selected the area const de red to be of highest priority for immediate development, One additional area is considered a sound project for future development. Our recommunda - lions regarding the initiation of these agricultural developments are as follows:
Reclamation of Chomen Swamp by Drainage
We accord the hLghesi priority to drainage ol the Chomen swamp, shown in Exhibit I„ We recommend a feasibility study be made of Ehis area at an early date. Our appr.ii.sai of this project has shown that it would be simple to construct; it would have high benefits, and it would be an excel lent start for your agency in the field of reclamation. This drtinage project would be compatible with the Finchaa Power Project, and feasibility Studies of both projects could proceed simultaneously.
-3-Water Resources Department
March 26, 1965
Fjnchaa Irrigation Project
For future development, we recommend the Fanchaa Irrigation Project generally as proposed by the (J. S. Bureau of Reclamation. This is un questionably a sound development project, but its implementation in the near future probably would encounter problems which could jeopardize its success* An obvious deterrent to immediate study is the lack of access
to the valley area proposed for development. This will be remedied if
a road leading Co the Finehaa Project generating facilities is completed. Two other deterrents to development of the valley arc the presence of tsetse flies and the almost unreasoning (but genuine) fear the local people have of the valley area. Both of these deterrents are Sus cep table to remedy.but in both cases the remedy require* tame. Accordingly, an our opinion, a feasibility investigation of the Finehaa Irrigation Project does not appear justified at this time.
National Reclamation Potential
As part of the development program in any country, an overall know - ledge of the agricultural potential is impoitant, In Ethiopia, this informa tion is presently available for the Blue Nile basin aiid is being obtained on the lower Awash Valley. To complete this type of information for the country, a survey of ground and surface water potential for irrigation is needed on the remainder of Ethiopia, This study should cover possible reclamation of OtheY swamp areas by drainage.
However, because of the high order of feasibility of the Chomcn swamp drainage project we feel that this development need not await the com pletion of the proposed country-wide study.
Recommended Program of Investigations
We recommend that feasibility studies be undertaken by a farm of com petent consultants as early as possible for the Chomcn drainage project. 
A schedule of the needed investigation program is given on Exhibit 111,
4Water Resource* Department
March 26. 1965
To carry on the Studies an agricultural team would be required in Ethiopia for about four months. The team should include a soil scientist, an agricultural econo mis t  and a drainage engineer. An additional period 
P
would be required for office studies in the preparation of the drainage plan and the feasibility report. In addition, personnel specialised in the firlds of geology, hydrology, and power may be required for short
periods.
The preliminary design of the drainage pumping plants and back-up Support for other stud Era would be furnished by the home office of the consulting firm. Such support would require the services of foundation specialists, mechanical and power engineers, design engineers, and other technicians.
We will be pleased to discuss this report with you. at your convenience.
Very truly yours.
-3-TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter
SUMMARY LETTER
I
I
MT R ODU CTION
1 -1
Scope of Investigation 
I-l
Exlcnt of Investigations
1-1
Proposal for Use of Off-Peak Power
1-2
If
MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTUR
E
IN ETHIOPIA
II-J
Elevation and Related Climatic Factors
II-J
Land Ownership Pattern 
II- 2
Present Agricultural Practices
LI-2
IH
RECLAMATION OF CHOMEN SWAMP
III-1
De»cripUo-n of Chomcn Swamp 
111-1
proposed Drainage Scheme
III- ]
Slage Development
ill- 3
Relationship    of    Drainage    Flan    Co 
Power
Project
III- 3
Estimated Crop Production 
Ill-4
Estimated Construction Cost of Drainage
Project
IH-5
Estimated     Cost     of     Settlement     and 
Develop
ment Programs
III - a
E c anomic iu stifle an on 
H I - 6
£V
FING HAA IR R1 GAT ION PRQJ ECT
IV -1
project Lands
IV-]TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter
Parc
IV               FINCHAA IRRIGATION PROJECT (cont, > Appraisal of USSR Proposal
Roads and People
Physical Factors
Conclusions
V                 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES
Nat i on al A g r ic ultu ral P roble ms
Irrigation    and    Drainage    *»    a    Solution    To Ag ri.c ultu ral Problems
Evaluation of National Reclamation Potential
IV-1 IV-J
IV-2 IV-J
V-l
V-l
V-l V-3
VI               REC OM ME NDED IN VE STI GATIQN PRO QR AM                         VI - J
Chorncn Swamp 
Aerial        Photogrammetry        and        Topographic Map s
Geology Soils and Foundations
Hydrology and Climatology 
Electric Power and Pumping Plant Designs
Drainage
Pedology and Agronomy 
Agricultural Economics and Marketing 
Project Economics and Supporting Services Program     Scheduling     and     Personnel     Re™ qui r erne nt s
VI-1
VI -1
VI-2
VI-3-
VI-3
VI-4
VI-4
VI-4
VI-5
VI-6Exhibit is
1
II
in
TABLE OF CONTENTS | c an Lt ftu ed)
FINCHAA PROJECT DRAINAGE SCHEME FINCHAA PROJECT GENERAL MAP
CHOMEN SWAMP PROPOSED PRE-1N VESTMENT INVESTIGATION PROGRAM
-ill-REPORTCHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Scope of Investigation
Extent of Investigations
proposal for Use of Off-Peak PowerChapter I
INTRODUCTION
Scope of Investagataons
The specific assignment for the agricultural studies was to investi gate the potential for use of off-peak power for agri cultural development in the vicinity of the Fmchaa Hydroelectric Project, Included in the investigation was an appraisal of the Finchaa Irrigation Project in rela tion to other possible agricultural developments.
Extent of Investigations
To obtain sufficient information to make the above appraisal, trips were made to experimental and private farms to study actual farm conditions and research work already in progress. The places visited were selected because the problems were similar to those of the areas on which recommendations were to be made.
The team reviewed the applicable published data, including the USBR 1?(>4 report "Land and Water Resources of the Blue Nile. " The sections of that report on agriculture and economics! land classification, and applicable parts of plans and estimates were studied in detail. Soil and crop bulletins prepared by the college group at Alem Maya also were reviewed. Conferences were held with key personnel of the Water Re sources Department Agricultural Department, U. S. Embassy, USAID, Oklahoma State University group, and others.
Field investigations were made by the team at the agricultural college at Alem Maya, the experiment station at Debre Zeit, and the Secondary School and Government Farm at Ambo, The Wonji Sugar farm
1-1near blazereth and the German Experimental Oil Seed Development cur rently being established near Bako also were visited. Visits were made
to irrigated farms owned by Ato Felunrea Bezuwark and Oto Kaptihyemer at Bako, and by D  A. Sanford near Fiche. Several days were spent
+
anveS ligating irrigation potential along the route of the proposed Finchaa power grid, including the Upper Awash valley, and in the area at Guder proposed by the USER for an irrigation project.
A trip was made into the Finchaa Valley by helicopter to examine the soils and topography. Landings were made in open areas and where vegetation had been burned off. In this way soils, topography, and other conditions which might present problems in the installation of irrigation systems were observed on the ground.
As part of the investigation for use of Finchaa power in agricul tural developmentj the Chomen swamp area was inspected by helicopter to determine the possible feasibility of drainage.
Observations made in the course of the inspections led to a num ber of recommendations, some of which relate to the over-all Ethiopian economy, and others to agricultural developments of the Finchaa region.
Proposal for JJse of Off -Peak Power for Pumping
In discussions with AID officials it was suggested that off-peak power from the Finchaa Power Project might be used to pump surface and ground water for irrigation on the plateau along the highway between Addis Ababa and Ambo. This proposal was advanced to provide an alternative which might be developed more readily and earlier than the Finchaa Irrigation Project.We have made a brief study of the Guder river, which was pro posed as a source of water for irrigation by pumping. The combined. Low flow of about 0.2 cubic meters per second appears to be inadequate with out the storage regulation planned by the USBR.
Irrigation from ground water in this area does not appear promis ing enough to warrant the detailed studies which would be required to locate and prove adequate sources of water for irrigation. The yields of wells drilled to bedrock in this area by USSR range from 5 to 6 5 gallons per minute. This yield is not sufficient for irrigation.
1-3CHAPTER U
MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURE IN ETHIOPIA
Elevation and Related Climatic Factors Land Ownership Pattern
Present Agricultural Practice^H
rj
Chapter II
MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURE
IN ETHIOPIA
Elevation and Related Climatic Factors
As was pointed out ;n the USSR report, the lands in Ethiopia
can be divided,. for agricultural purposes, into three elevation zones+
The areas above Z400 meters in elevation arc known as HDega11; areas 1800 to 24 00 meteters tn elevation are known as  Woina Drga ; and areas
below 1800 meters in elevation are known as "K'olla.11 The major pro lion of the population is concentrated in the two zones with high eleva tions or above elevaaon 1800 meters. In traveling through the country, 
it was apparent that the adaptability of crops varied with the elevation.
Cereal crops, consisting mainly of barley or oats but including some wheat,. are grown above elevation 2.400 meters. Other crops grown are pulses and a very limited amount of oil crops such as noog. On the plateau between Ambo and Holletti  which would be in the Woina deg a
t
xone  the list of adaptable crops is much greater, including c-ef, wheat, 
s
maize, shorghum, noog. and pulses* Ln a few places limited amounts of vegetables and deciduous fruits were observed.
In the K'olla zone winter vegetables, coffee, wheat, ma-zc, shorghum, oil seeds, and similar crops could be produced throughout a twcivc-month season. Also, since the land would be below 1500 meter elevation, cotton, sugar cane, better citrus and other semi- tropical crops could be produced. The proposed Fine baa Irrigation Project is located m K olla zone.
r
11-1J 
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The Chomen swamp area is located in the Woina dega zone.   Due to the flat topography and the  resulting poor movement of air,  it could 
be more susceptible to frost in December and January than the plateau around Ambo,   However,  during the humid cropping season it should be adapted to the  same  crops being grown on the plateau. 
On the   plate au, the annual precipitation is about 1000 millimeters. Most of this fall s in the period from June through September.     Similar amounts of rainfall probably occur on the Finchaa swamp area.   The total amount   of annual rainfall decreases at lower elevations.   Therefore,  the amount at the proposed Finchaa Irrigation Project would probably be somewhat less than occurs on the plateau. 
Land Ownership Patte rn 
On the plateau,  the land parcels are in small,  irregular shaped tracts marked by paths,  rocks,  shrubs or other non-permanent markers. There are no legal descriptions by   me te s and bounds,  and the physical markings are the only    me ans of defining owne r ship s.   It is likely that construction of a modern irrigation system, with the associated land leveling,  drainage,  and roads  would destroy many markings and cause great local concern and opposition.    The Oklahoma State University Group has experienced this problem in establishing a small pump irrigation area at Alem Maya. 
Present Agricultural Practices 
To be economically feasible in the  hi gher elevations,  irrigation farming will require radical departures from the  existing wet  season cropping practices.   Presently,  cereal crops are seeded during July 
II-2 and August and are harvested during the dry  seas on fromn November  to January.    The practice of using the greater part of the dry season to harve st crops will be  imnpractical under irrigation development.   For irrigation to  be profitable,  new crops as well as a much more intensive farm management will be  required.   Farmers have long experience in producing wet season crops.   Due to tradition,  they will probably find it difficult to adjust their farming methods to  utilize irrigation water on 
all of their land even though it is  available . 
Because of the difficulty of changing establi shed farming methods in areas which are presently farmed,  there would be many advantages 
in developing irrigation and reclamation projects on lands not now settled or farmed.    Other advanta ge s  of establi shing irrigation on new lands  in clude  establi shment of economnically sized farm units and  creation of a strong extension and demonstration program to guide the agricultural de - velopment.   This would provide an opportunity to gradually change many of the establi she d practices that are detrimental to a succes sful  reclam ation project. 
For these reasons projects on new lands,   develop ed under  close supervision, will be more  successful than  projects impo sing irrigation 
on an exi sting type of farming that is basically a wet season,  subsistence - type agriculture.   However,  there would be  additional costs caused by settlement and in  some cases by  clearing the  land and developing access roads,  which should be   conside red as part of the total project cost. 
II-3 J 
1 
1 
CHAPTER II 
RECLAMATION OF CHOMEN SW AMP 
Description of Chomen Swamp 
Proposed   Drain ag e Schemne 
Stage Development 
Relation ship of Drainage Plan to Power Project Estimated Crop Production 
Estimated Construction Cost of Drainage Project Estimated Cost of Settlement and Development Programs Economic Justification Chapter III 
RECLAMATION OF CHOMEN SWAMP 
Description of Chomen Swamp 
The Chomen swamp is located upstream from the Finchaa sw amp, 
J 
as shown on Exhibit I.   The Chomen and Finchaa swamps were created by  basalt flow which partially filled an old eroded sandstone valley. 
Soil eroded from upland areas has been deposited in the  swamps on the underlying rock.   The Finchaa storage dam will back water into the Finchaa swamp which wìll serve as a storage reservoir. 
The level area of the Chomen swamp cover s an area of ab out 
31,000 hectares.   It is surrounded and bisected by a series of upland hills.   The hill areas,  except for the mountainous part on the  south,  rise about 30  to 40 meters above the level swamp areas.   In the mountainous area the  hills rise several hundred meters above  the  swamp. 
The upland ar eas  surrounding  the  swamp are rather  exten sively farmed to  barley,  wheat,  t'ef,  corn,  sorghum and  noog.    The  low-lying Swamp areas are covered by marsh grass and are not  utiliz ed except 
for a small amount of grazing around the  edges as the water recedes during the dry season. 
Proposed Drainage Scheme 
On the basis of elevations obtained from an  aneroid altimeter, water storage .required for  the Finchaa power development will  be  con fined mainly to the Finchaa swamp area.   Thus,  the  Chomen  swamp could be dr ained into the Finchaa swamp and  the land used for agricultural purposes. 
III-1 J 
J 
1 
1 
The feasibility of draining the swamp is  con ting ent upon the depth of soil over the underlying rock.   In a test made of  soil depth at the narrows between the Chomen and Finchaa swamps, it was found that a soil cover of at least eight meters exists over the underlying rock.   If this is repres entative of the entire area the re is adequate soil cover 
to permit the construction of  drain age ditches without encountering rock. 
As  part of the proposed drainage project,  run- off  fr om the  up 
land w ater sheds would be diverted into the Finchaa reservoir,  either by gravity or by pumping,  as shown in Exhibit I.    Run-off from all of the steep mountain area in the south part of the watershed could be diverted by gravity into the Finchaa swamp.   Water from the low areas within 
the Chomen swamp would have to be pumped about two or three meters vertically into the Finchaa reservoir, where it would become available for power produc tion. 
Under natural conditions the flat Chomen swamp area acts as  a storage reservoir.   W ater accumulates during the rainy  seas on and is released slowly.   If the  swamp was  drained for  agricultur al  purposes this natural stor age would no longer be avail able.    Thus, with drainage, some  addition al storage (not to  exceed one me ter of additional depth) would probably be required in the Finchaa reservoir.   The cost of this extra reservoir capacity probably would be  offset by  the increase in water yield from the Chomen area.    Thi s inc reased yield would be brought about  bec ause of the decrease in area which is  pres ently sub jected to high evaporation losses. 
The drainage of the low  areas would  be accomplished by a series of ditches which would outlet into a  collector ditch.    The collector ditch would carry water to several pumping   plant s, which would  be  electric ally 
III-2 powered.   For efficient design the pumping plants should operate for 
a 24-hour period during the   pe ak runoff season. 
The road and drainage system would be  planned as an  inte grated program.     This would allow a  road system to  be  developed within the area at the least cost in  relation ship to bridges and culverts  requir ed to cross the drainag e syst em. 
Stage Development 
The drainag e and reclamation of Chomen Swamp should be de veloped in stages geared to the capability and progress of the farmers to handle  the  development progr am.    The swamp is divided into two  natu ral areas (A and B,  as shown in Exhibit I),  each of which could be developed independent of the other.    Within each are a,  after the pumping plarnt is in stalled, drainag e ditch cons truction could be geared to the rate of land settlement. 
In the initial stag e of development,  emphasis could  be given to farm  organizati on, and improved cultural practices.   In a second stage, 
drain ag e could  be improved  by  tile drains,  if economic ally feasible. Irrigation could  be introduced in a third stage for  some of the drain ed land.   Benefits from the second  and  third stage improvem ents have not 
be   en  considered in  evaluating the feasibility of  the  dr ainag e system. 
Relation ship of Drainage Plan to Power Project 
The  drainage plan and power developm ent are completely Com patible.   There is adequate storage space available in  the   Fin chaa part of the swamp area for the power development.   Drainage of the Chomen swamp area would not reduce the total yield of water from the area for 
III-3 power production; in fact,  it is likely there would  be a slight increase 
in water yield as a result of reduction in  the ar ea of open water subjected to evaporation.   Due to the depth of s oil and the small head,  no problems on seepage from the Finchaa reservoir into the drained  Chom en swamp would be anticipated. 
Estimated Crop Production 
The    USBR, in its study of the Guder Irrigation Project,  included an  estimat e of crop production during the rainy seas on,  assuming the crops would be barley,  t'ef, wheat,  beans,  and oil seeds.    They es ti mated the annual gross income per cropped  hec tare at about E$140 
on the Guder project lands. 
The Guder Project area and the Chomen swamp are loc ated at about the same elevati on.    However,  the Chomen ar ea would have less erosion and the fertility of the soils would be higher.     Therefor e, during the rainy seas on the potential for crop production on the  dr ained  Cho men swamp lands should be better than on the Guder Project,   Based 
on this,  and assuming the same crops as currently used we have  esti 
m ated the grOss crop value per hectare in the Chomen swamp to  be  about E$200 annually. 
Results from  stu dies in other   devel oping countries under similar conditions show that farm production costs are between 45  percent and 55  perc ent of the gross crop value.   On this basis,  the  annu al net farm income (direct  agricul tural benefits) from drainage of the Chomen  swamp would amount ultimately to about E$100 per hectare.   This estimate is believed to be very conservative as it is based on the low yields of field crops now grown in nearby areas.   It is pos sible that the swamp area 
III-4 1 
could pr oduce high yields of corn,  Irish potato es,  vegetables or other higher value crops pres ently not grown in the area. 
Estimated Construction Cost of Drainage Project 
Areas A and  B of Exhibit 1 are approximately equal,  each  com prising about 15, 000 hectares.   In the  study of draining Chomn en  swamp, a tentative ditch layout  was pr epared for  Part A.    A composite ditch excav ation table was prepared,  based on the length and drainage are a of 
the ditch.   Using this,  the excavation for the drainage of the Area A Was   estim ated,    As shown on the map, a  layout of dive rsions was pre pared and the total cubic mneters of earthwork was estimated.   Since the two areas are about equal,  one half of the earthwork  was attributed to each area.   Thus, for construction of the diversion and drainage ditches for Area A,  a volumne of  3 million   cubic meters was estimated.   At 
E$0.75 per cubic meter,  the estimated cost would  be E$145 per hectare. 
It is estimated that a pumping plant capable of  removing  19  cubic m eters per  sec ond (680  cfs) is needed to drain Area A.   Based on  our previous  designs, a plant of this  size would  cost about  U.   S. $300, 000, or about E $47 per hec tare. 
Ten   percent was added to the above costs to  cover  engine er   ing and another ten pe rc ent for conting encies,  resulting in a total  cons truc - tion cost estimated at around E$230 per hectare for the  op en drainag e system. 
Estimated Cost of  Settlemnment  and Development Programs 
Settlem ent and  development of  the drained swamp lands will  re quire careful planning.   The   developm ent program should  be carried out 
III -5 over several years,  to  permit an  efficient land development and   settle ment program.   The land should  be plowed,  worked down,  and  level ed (if necessary)  by power  equipm ent, as a part of the project development. On  the  basis of costs for similar work on other projects,  the costs for such land improverm ents are estimated to  be E$40 per hectare, 
An adequate extension  progr am is necessary for   developm ent of 
a new  area if   me thods of farming are to  be improved.   Extension agents should  be  provided to  assist farmers in improving cropping   method s 
a nd  project developm ent.    Initially, it is recommended that the  progr am for the  development of Chomen swamp include the services of at least one extension ag ent.   As addition al land is brought into cultiv ati on,  the number of advisors should be  expanded.   When the entire area is brought into cultivation,  the services of five or six agricultur al ag ents might be required.   The  averag e cost of such a program is  estim at ed to  be  E$10 per hectare, 
The  area would provide ultimate settl em ent oppor tunities for 
2, 000  to 3, 000 farm families.   Many additional village families would 
be engaged in providing goods and services for the new settlers.   Some of the land could  be used  to replace land inund ated by the Finchaa  reser voir.   Land owners who lose land to the reservoir would not have to 
be moved or resettled a long distance from their homnes.    This would provide  an easy solution to the problem of compensating for crop and grazing lands inundated by the Finchaa dam.   On  this basis, no  allowance would  be  required for purchase of lan d. 
Economic Justification 
Based on  the  es timated pe r hectare cost of E$230 for construc tion,  E$40 for land developmnent,  E$25 for interest,  the total initial 
III-6 capital investment for the open drainage system would amount to about 
E$295 per hectare.   Assuming a project life of 50   years and an  annual interest rate of  six percent,  the  equiv alent annual amortization costs of the investment would be about E $19 per hectare. 
Annu al operation, maint en ance,  and  replac em ent costs are esti mated at approximately E$25 per  hectar e, consisting of E$5 for the  pump ing plants, E $10 for the open  dr ain, and E$10 for  agricultu ral exten sion services,   Thus,  the total annual capital, operation,  and maintenance costs would amount to around E$44 per hectare.   Annual direct agricultural benefits (without  adjustme nt for lag in accruals) have been  estimated pre viously to  be  about E$100 per hectare.   Based on these rough  estim at es 
of benefits and costs,  the benefit-cost ratio would be in the neighborhood of 2. 3: 1, 0.   If the incr eas ed gross crop value is used as a  measure of 
direct and indirect project benefits,  the   benefit -cost ratio would approach 
4. 6:1. 0. 
Nume rous indirect and public   ben efits would  result,  which would provide a genuine basis for stimulating ec on omic growth of the area and nation.    Settlement opportunities would  be  provided for over  2, 000  families, s ome  of whom could  be owners  of land in the Finchaa rese rvoir basin which would be  inundated by  the  reservoir for the  power development.   The   open ing up of the area by new   r oads and settlement would promote progress in an area now undeveloped. 
Investm ent  and  employment opportunities in  villages and town s 
would be created which would be of loc al and  nation al value.    Potential produc tion of crops valued at about E$6, 000, 000  annually   w auld  create economic opportunities in   produc tion, processing,  marketing and tran sport ation.    Some of the produ ction would be oil crops and other pr oducts now in short national supply. 
III-7 The  training and  experience gained  by many people from project 
developme  nt would  aid in stimulating additional developments in the 
country,  such as  the Finchaa Valley. 
Advantag es of the Chomen  sw amp developm ent over other potential developments are:   (1) It is located clo se  to  existing settled are as  and 
ma rkets, (2)  It is more accessible and would  require less clearing and  ex tensive land improvements,  (3) It is not plagued by the tsetse fly,  (4) It 
is  conduc ive to stage development which can be geared to the progress and capability of the settlers,  and (5) It would not present problems for settlement which would  be  preval ent for the uninhabited Finchaa  Vall ey. 
The es timates of the benefit-cost ratios are preliminary in nature and must be verified by detailed project planning investigations to more accurately determine (1)  the feasibility of project design,  (2)  the project costs,  and (3) the resulting benefits.   However, the preliminary  benefit cost estimates are highly attractive and,  together with other advantages 
of the Chomen swamp,   warr ant the expenditures necessary for detailed project investig ations.   We  rec ommend that these investigations be  initiated 
at an early date,  in order that plans for  the Finchaa power   developm ent can be  integrated with agricultural development of  the  Chomen swamp., 
III-8 CHAPTER IV FINCHAA IRRIGATION PROJECT 
Project Lands 
Appraisal of  USBR Proposal Roads  and  People Physical Factors 
Conclusions 
1 
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1 Chapter IV 
FINCHAA IRRIGATION PROJECT 
Project Lands 
The Finchaa valley is in  a box-like  canyon with  the proposed  irri gated area being about  37 kilomete rs in length and up  to  12 kilomete rs in width.   At about its mid-point it is joined by the Amarti- Ne she River. On all sides the  Finchaa and Amarti-Neshe are bounded by almo st verti cal escarpments about  750 meters in height. 
The  USBR  proposed an irrigation development of 20, l40 hectares 
on which there was an estimated  15, 000 hectares of  irrigable land. 
Their 
proposal would utilize the  water released from the power plant to   irri gate lands below the  1600 meter contour.    The east main canal would have a  capacity of  10, 2 cubic meters per second and would serve about 8000 hectares,   The west main canal capacity would be 8.5 cubic meters per second,  serving about 7000 hectares of land. 
The lands in the valley have slopes of  two percent toward the  river and  slopes  up  to  12  percent toward the  late ral drainage ways.     They  are covered with a savanna type  woodland. 
Appraisal of  USBR  Project 
Roads  and People 
The main deterrents to  the project proposed by the  USBR  are the   difficultie s of road construction into the area and  the objections of the people  to living in the valley.   The problem of building an access 
IV-1 road along the  700 meter escarpment will be very difficult. ance costs of a road in this location also will be high. 
Mainten 
The local people's dislike of the Finchaa valley is very real; they 
fe ar diseases and robbers and for generations have avoided the canyons and valleys .    Considerable difficulty was experienced in our inve stiga - tions in inducing local laborers to clear an area for the proposed drilling and camp  site for the power project.   They flatly refused to  bring their work animals into the valley,  believing that the animals would be come sick from tsetse flys.   For the mselve s,  they are fe arful of robbers and disease. 
Physical Factors 
In the USBR report slopes were shown to vary fr om one to twelve percent.   In an area where the rainfall is probably 800 millimeters or more per year (800 millineters shown on the lower Guder area),  erosion will be a problem.   To achieve erosion control on sloping lands with this amount of rainfall,  bench leveling should be used.   Using yardage charts for bench leveling developed by the U, S.  Soil Conservation Service for Nebraska,  movement of about 600 cubic yards per acre (about l150 cubic meters per hectare) would be required.   The estimated cost for this work in Nebraska is  US $0.20 per cubic  yard, equivale nt to a cost of E$750 per hectare. 
Without soil  survey s it is difficult to estimate the area in need 
of bench leveling.    However, based on our observations it is estimated that it is applicable to one half the area.    Thus, the ave rage cost of this operation would be E $375 per hectare.   This is conside rably  greate r than the estimated cost of E $125  shown in the USBR  report.   To offset 
IV-2 this additional cost,  bench  leveling  would permit much more intensive Cropping.    The  major crops that might be  grown in the Finchaa valley 
are cotton,  citrus,  and   coffe e. 
Conclusions 
Although we  do not favor early development of the Finchaa  Pro 
ject,  we  conclude that the lower Finchaa valley is very suitable for eventual development for irrigation,   When the power development is completed, there will be a unifo rm  s upply of water available.   The soils appear to be of at least the q uality indicated in the USBR report,and the possibility of growing a variety of crops in the valley is nuch  bette r than on the high plateau. 
If erosion control is to be accomplished,  development costs will probably be  higher than those  indicate d in the USBR  report.   However, since the Finchaa irrigation project area would be located below the l600 meter  contour, high income crops should be possible.   Therefore,  as local markets develop the higher incomne  from the se  crops would justify the higher costs of development. 
IV-3 CHAPTER V 
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES 
National Agricultural Problems 
Irrigation and Drainage as a  Solution to Agricultural Problems Evaluation of National Reclamation Potential 
1 
1 1 
1 
Chapte r V 
NATIONAL  DEVELOPMENT  OF   AGRICULT  URAL RESOURCES 
National Agricultural Problems 
Agriculture is  the  foundation  of the  Ethiopian economy.    As  in 
other developing countries the  improvements being made in living  stan - dards are confined largely to  the urban areas.   Except for areas near 
the cities methods  of farming appear to have changed little in thousands of  years.   Crop yields are very low by modern standards.   The profit motive  is not generally evident,  and subsistence farming is the most 
Common,    Greater crop production,  higher agricultural income,  increased food  supplie s,   and additional  inve stment and employment opportunities are national objectives for agriculture.   Erosion  control, better farm  im plements,  imnproved  crop  varieties,  use  of fertilizer and pesticide s, 
and improved  processing, marketing and transportation facilities will be ncessary to increase Crop production.    The  nation ne eds  to improve its position in international trade; the increased exports of agriculture products would,  therefore,  be  of  national benefit. 
There is extensive  soil erosion on crop -land  ove    much of the country.   Thousands  of acres of good  soil are lost each year and even if 
an aggressive national soil erosion control 
program were  started im 
mediately,  mnany  acres of  crop land would still be destroyed. 
Irrigation and  Drainage as  a Solution to  Agricultural Problems 
The  report prepared by  the  USBR  indicates that the population of Ethiopia may  double  by  year 2000.    To  provide  food  for  the  growing  popula - tion,  as  well as  raw materials for expanding industries,  the development 
V-l 1 
1 
of natural resources will be necessary.   This development should  in 
clude both drainage  and irrigation.   In addition to the possible reclamation of Chomen  swamp by drainage,  the feasibility of development other  swamp areas should be inve stigated.   The large st of the se,  as indicated in USBR report,  is the Dabus swamp.   Other similar areas may exist outside the Blue Nile. 
In potential irrigation developments,  both underground and surface water  supplie s should be inve stigate d.     To date,  surface irrigation investi gations have been carried out on the Blue Nile  and lower Awash   watershe ds. The  large area in Southern Ethiopia,  as well as  rema ining areas in the northern  part, should be inve stigated to  determine their irrigation potential. In this way an orde rly program can be developed based on complete  irriga tion needs for the nation as a whole,   If water is available,  it is possible that some of the projects in the more arid southwe stern part of the nation would produce the highest return for inve stments in irrigation. 
Unde rground water provides another source for irrigation  wate r, Use  of wells for  supplemental irrigation should be highly adaptable to  pre sent rainy season farming practices.   Wells would provide water for some cropping during the  dry season as  well as  supplemental water for  irriga tion during the rainy season,    This type  of irrigation fits into the present humid type farming  program, without radical changes in  crops produced, and should be more readily accepted by farmers.   USAID has installed a numbe r of wells in Ethiopia.   Evaluation of these wells in their  relation ship to  underground  str atigraphy and structure should furnish a start in developing a program of  under ground water potentials. 
It is highly  de sirable to have in progress a continuing investigation 
program for  reclamation and  construction in the development of land 
kANY     oF    WArED 
V-2 wate r resources.   In addition to providing increased crop production, 
the r elated increases in employment and inve stment opportunitie s  accom panying resource development are of national significance to  the economic growth of the country.   In addition,  a  continuing program is needed to train and develop Ethiopian governmental  te chnicians to carry on this national development. 
Evaluation of National Reclamation Potential 
The USBR Blue Nile Basin Report" is an excellent start in eval uating the national irrigation potential.   An inve stigation of the  Awa sh Basin is being conducted by U.   N.   Spe cial Funds.   Investigation of the Chomen swamp has been proposed earlier in this report.   It would appear highly de sirable for the Ethiopian Government to  complete the  survey of the total national irrigation and drainage potential.  With the information from this survey available,  the  selection of projects for development could be  made with a knowledge of the potential in all area s.   Thus,  in orderly sequence projects,  whi ch would contribute the greate st national 
benefit, could be developed first.   This survey could be  a part of a   na - tional program of resource planning and  development. 
V-3 CHAPTER VI 
RECOMM ENDED INVESTIGATION PROGRAM 
1 
1 
1 
1 
Aerial Photogrammetry and Topographic Maps Geology Soils and  Foun dations 
Hydrology and Climatology 
Electric Power and Pumping Plant Designs 
Dr ainag e 
Pedology and Agronomy 
Agricultur al  Economnics and  Marketing 
Project Economics and  Supporting Services Program Scheduling  and  Personnel  Requirem ents 1 
Chapter VI 
REC OMMENDED INVESTIGATION PROGRAM 
Chomen Swamp 
An investig ation program will be required in order to evaluate 
and plan an adequate development of the Chomen swamp.  A recommended investigation  progr am, including the individual study elements and  a timetable for completion,  is discussed in this chapter.   An outline  cover ing prin cipal study  elem ents is presented in Exhibit II. 
It is recommended that a competent consulting engineering firm be  retained to provide ess ential services in the investigation program, Becau se  of the complementary relationship of the  Chomen swamp and the Finchaa power project, these studies should be integrated and conducted concurr ently if possibl e.    This would re sult in considerable saving s in time and costs for pre -inves tment investigations and would assure  com prehensive planning for full development and utilization of the water, power,  and land resources of the area.   The propo sed work progr am and scheduling of individual study elements,  as  sh own in Exhibit III,  is based on the as sumption that this study will be  coordinated with the  powe r studies now in progress on Finchaa. 
Aerial Photogrammetry and Topographic Maps 
Additional aerial photographs,  taken vertically,  should  be  ob 
ta ined  at the earliest prac tic able date of  the  border areas of the Chomen swamp along the  prop0 sed route of the diversions,  as shown on  Exhibit I. From these,  topogr aphic al maps should be  prepar ed with a scale of 
VI-1 1:10, 000 with contour intervals of  2. 5 meters on flatter areas and  5 m eters on areas with Consid er able slope.    These maps are necessary 
for the design of the diver sion system. 
Since an aerial photography program is  curr ently in progress for 
the Finchaa power studies,  considerable saving s would result if the  addi ti onal mapping requir ed for  the Chomen area is implement ed with this work. 
Prin ts  of existing l :40, 000 aerial photographs are adequate for semi-detailed land classification and for other information.   The sc ale also would  be  s atisfac tory for planning drainage layouts if complement ed with random ground elevations located throughout the swamp area. 
These elevations could be established by the Water Resource Department personnel who are now locating a base line along the edge of the swamp in connection with the Finchaa power  studie s.    Supervision and as sist - ance for this work sh ould be provided by  consultan t pers onnel. 
Geology, Soils,  and   Foundation s 
Geologic al data is basic to the progr am for planning of dive rsion and  convey ance  structure s, highway studies,   con struction material loca tion,   gr oundwater studies,  and agricultural soil classific ation.  The geologic al  inv estigations should be  suffic iently detailed to determine stratigraphy and structur e.   Areas requiring more detailed study should be delineated.   Sufficient surface and  exploratory studies are necessary to  identify all technic al problems,  establish the locations of the more important project structures, and to fix general criteria and standards of construction. 
VI-2 Hydrology and  Climatology 
Hydrologic studies are needed  to  provide information on  the  inten sity of rainfall and  run-off,  for   dete rmining drainage and  diversion re quirements.    The data also are needed for planning land improvements, roads,  and  soil and water conservation programs for the watershed. 
Avail able  meteorologic al data must be collected,  and  programs  should 
be  recommended for establishing recording  stations and discharge mea Surenments  on  a continuing basis.    Sedimentation and evapor ation studies are necessary to  establish design criteria for planning the project features. Incorporated into the study of  rat es of sedimentation should  be recommend ations for needed erosion control to increase the life of proposed  diver sions.   The field inves tig ations for th is work should include a visit to the swamp area during the  rainy season to  study run-off and  drainag e condi 
tion s. 
Electric Power and Pumping Plant Designs 
The power requirements to pump the drainage water must be estimated.    Preliminary lay ou ts and design of the pumping plants and transmnission lines for the area will be required,  togeth er with cost esti mates.   The se  s tudies must be clos ely coordinated with the hydrologic and geologic studie s,  and would profit by integ r ation with s tudies of the Finchaa reservoir and power studies. 
Drainage 
Investigations for drainag e would provide  prelimin ary layouts showing project open drains and  the collector  drains.   Detailed layouts of  typic al areas are necessary to establish design criteria and cos t 
VI-3 estimates of typic al structures. 
These studies,  combined with land 
classific ation studies described in  the next  section,   will delineate the project area and the net area available for  cul tiv ation and farm  develop 
ment. 
Pedology and   Agron omy 
Soil and agricultural studies are requir ed to provide basic  inform 
1 
at ion needed for planning.   This  work should  be performned  by a soil scientist experienced with swamp soils.   A semi-detailed land classifica tion is nec essary to identify the   bound aries of areas having similar soils and  other conditions affecting drainability and cultivation of crops.   This information should  be  suppleme  nted by field borings to  establish the depth of the  s oil overlying the bedrock,  by  permeability tests, and  complete laborato ry analys es of samples of the various soils founds.   The field 
borings to determine the depth of the soil to bedrock and ass istance in the soil surveys could be  provid ed by   pers onnel of the Water Resources Departm ent. 
Cropping patterns,  crop yields,  and  agricultural production  mu st be  estimated and requir ements for land development,  fertiliz ation,  and reclamation establi shed. 
Because  of the difficulty of gaining  access  to the  swamp  are a, the field work for the s oils and  agronomy studies must be perfo rme d during the dry  seas on. 
Agricultural  Econ omic s and Marketing 
Detailed studies mu st be made of existing economic and  social conditions and agricultural practices within the zone of influence of the 
VI-4 project.   These studies would include proposed tenure status, farm 
size,  and, if appropriate,  detailed proposals concerning land settlement. Also,  the studies should include  relev ant au thorizing legislation an d sources of supply of prospec tive settlers.   Evidence must be es tablished that the new settlers would participate in the development on the basis that would permit successful  developme nt and oper ation of the project.   Studie s are needed  to determine r equirements for on-farm investment,  farm  equip 
m ent,  credit,  infrastructure  developm ents, and agricultural services necess ary to  bring the land to full production.   The studies would include 
estimates of projected farm prices, anticipated crop yields,  adequacy of marketing and  processing facilities,  farm income,  production costs and future project benefits. 
Up  to date and   de tailed estinates of the costs,  in local and foreign exchange,  of public  and private inves tment in the project will be  required. A financing   pl an  should be  established which would include propos ed   ar 
r angements for planning,  executing and  operating the project,  proposed services for  farmers, and proposed charges to  be paid by  the farmers for project costs.   Propos als for   organ iz ation and legal provisions for oper ating the project also are necessary. 
Project Economics  an d Supporting Services 
A preliminary construction schedule and  annual cash requiremments will be required.    Estimnates of benefits and results to be  re aliz ed from the project must be made and  analyzed to determine  ec onomnic soundness in accordance with intern at ion al financing  standards, 
All necessary back- stopping for a project Feasibility Report,  to include economic and technical soundnes s ,  will be required.   This work 
VI-5 will include technical review and analysis of the propos ed  scheme  by experience staff members of the consultant. 
Program Scheduling and Personnel Requirements 
Scheduling  of the field investigation program is extrem ely critical to the time required to  complete the s tudies,  and also to the costs for the investigation studie s.   It is estimated that a period of eleven months will be  required to complete the mapping program, field studies,  and  the office studies.   This assume s  that these studies will be initiated at an early date and integrated with the field studies on the Finchaa power project. 
As  shown in Exhibit III it is assumed that the aerial photography and much of the ground survey work can be  comnple ted over a  three month period.   It is recommended that the maps be  comple ted prior to  initia - tion of the detailed field studies. 
The field  inve stigation program will require three to four months. These studies should  c ommence near the end of the rainy season in order that run-off and drain age con ditions can be observed in the field,   The office  s tudies  wou ld be  initiated, as  appropriate,  but would extend about three nonths after mo st of the field investigations are completed. 
The princ ipal personnel required for the drainage and   agricultur al field studies would include a drainage engineer,  soil scientist, and  an agricultural economist.      This team would be supplemented in the field, as required,  by other personnel which might include a geologist,  hydro logist,  and power engineer.   Other personnel would be furnished by the home office of the consulting firm selected,  as required. 
VI-6 It is  anticipat ed that much of the field work could  be performed by Ethiopian  pers onnel from the Depar tment of Water Resources  and Agriculture,  under the direction of specialists of the consulting firm. These personnel would include a survey engineer and crew,  soil survey crews, draftsmen,  clerks,  chauffeur s, and  labor er s. 
VI-7 EXHIBITS 1   1 
MARZA 
ENGINEERING 
LEGEND 
COMPANY 
DWG. 
NO. 
346 
Diversion  line T 
divide        Ridge divide        Bosin  Swomp 
P2 
MARCH 
2,1965 
TE:    WO 
developed Notural 
droinage      for 
his 
oreo. 
Vo be 
cHÌMEN 
AREA8 
NOTE 
Hmping     water to Drainage    grid 
St. 
Arrows 
hoLmp 
veiooed     som      h 
DrainogePumpiig  Plant argnoe 
argas 
reservoir   upland 
NOTE: 
b 
carry 
devejaned  e 
water 
by 
gr 
Finchaa 
to 
dike 
vily. 
car to 
SCHEME           DRAIN   AGE 
Scale 
FINCH 
A A 
PROJECT 
O 
2 
EXHIBIT   I 
5Kilometers HARZA ENGINEERING 
36°30                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 630 EKKEMT 
LEGEND: o 
or 
COMPANY 
Swamps Limits      Perennial           Intermittent               stream         of streom   weother    rood    Dry 
Populotion           Rogd     centers 
ABDO 
DWG 
346 
NO 
Blue 
Nile 
PI 
37  00 
3700 
MARCH 
2,965 
drainoge 
orea 
Scole  ... .. 
3730 
37   30 
MAP 
OF 
PROJECT 
VICINITY 
Kilometers 40 
38°00 
38°00' I030 
6Gatoro 
36°30 
38°30 
ILUBABOR 
WELLEGA 
ADDISlABABA 
E 
GOJJAM 
GAMU-GOFÁ Gardutg 
KEFA 
39r00 
MIDIR         BEGE 
dGondor 
LoRe 
ERIJREA 
9900 
8ORAA       SIDAMO 
ABUSSI 
Scole 
SHO4 AADDIS 
4BABA 
Dessie 
WELLO 
TICRE 
Massowo 
0 50  MAP 
I00 
ETHIO 
150                 OF 200 
250 300 
RAR HA 
RENO    F 
350 
400 
PIA 
SO 
MA 
DJIBOUTI 
Kilometers 
+++ 
Aden       Gulf of 
SAN'A 
o 
LGorrohei 
LIL AN 
D 
AAERBERA 
EQU 
LEGEND: 
International       *+++ Population          centers    weother     rood   Dry Roods       Roilrood            boundories             Provincial 
GENERAL      MAPS 
FINCHAA 
Scale 
O 
A FR I     CA 
AAditer erransan 
boundories 
PROJECT 
IO00  KEY       MAP 2000 
3000 
Klome 
Sea 
rs 
EXHIB IT  I Reports 
Lega  Project Program         opment       Devel Project      Costs     Marketing             Economics               icultural   Agronomy             Agr 
Structures Electric           ineer  Eng      ing                 Hydrol Pedology Diversion             Drainage  and 
Stereo-triangulation                              Photogrammetry                      Geology,          Aer ia 
Ground  Sur 
and 
EMENTS          STUDY EL 
Economi 
Power 
ogy 
and 
Soi 
Admini strat 
ls 
and 
Climato 
and 
and 
cs 
and 
Fin 
Mechanical 
Foundations 
ion 
l 
ogy 
and 
ancing 
Surveys           Control         Ground 
Mapping  Aerial 
M 
n t 
h 1 y 
Pr  o 
Explorati   Geolog         ons          cal 
i 
Preparati  Map on Topograph ic 
PROPOSED 
PRE-|NVESTMENT 
CHOMEN 
Preliminary 
Layout 
g 
r e 
s s 
Collecti 
Requirements                  Development Land 
and    Field 
Soil Check 
Classifi Conservat 
5 
on 
of 
ing 
Cost 
Data 
EHE 
Agricultural | 
Statist  ics 
Producti on 
Yields    Crop 
cation 
Layouts i 
on 
R or e p 
MONTHS 6 
SWAMP 
DRAINAGE INVESTI 
PROJECTS GATION 
PROGRAM 
and 
and 
|Legislation Drainage Land   and 
t 
Settlement 
Patterns        Cropping 
Land 
alys iis An Soil 
7 
and 
Evaporati  Weteorol         on ogy    Water 
Sedimentat  ion 
Program 
lopmen    Deve 
imates  Est 
Cost 
Benefits Project 
Tenure Land 
Drainage         Layout Diversi 
on Designs 
Suppl; 
Layouts    ments,     Plant      Require       Power 
LEGEN    D   : 
Operat 
agement  Han 
& 
Financial  Proqram 
alysis An 
Investment Schedule          Construct Allocati         i on   on 
Cost 
Repayment           Anal ys   is 
Report        Draft 
i 
on 
Work 
Work 
opia  Eth Chicago            i 
Report        Final 
Exhibit  III

Aspect	Details
Location	Upstream from Finchaa swamp (Woina Dega zone, 1800-2400m elevation)
Current Use	Marsh grass with minimal grazing
Proposed Method	Drainage ditches → collector ditch → pumping plants (19 m³/s capacity)
Estimated Costs	Construction: E$230/hectare Land development: E$40/hectare Extension services: E$10/hectare
Potential Crops	Barley, t'ef, wheat, beans, oil seeds (E$200/hectare gross value)
Settlement	2,000-3,000 farm families, plus village support

Aspect	Details
Location	Finchaa valley (K'olla zone, below 1600m elevation)
Proposed Method	Two main canals (10.2 m³/s and 8.5 m³/s capacity)
Potential Crops	Cotton, citrus, coffee (higher value than plateau crops)
Major Challenges	Access road construction/maintenance Local population resistance Tsetse fly presence Erosion control requirements

Summery

Appraisal of Potential Agricultural Development - Finchaa Project, Ethiopia

Executive Summary

Key Recommendations

1. Chomen Swamp Drainage Project

2. Finchaa Irrigation Project

Detailed Project Information

Chomen Swamp Drainage

Finchaa Irrigation Project

National Agricultural Context

Recommended Investigation Program

Conclusion