WATER RESOURCES DVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY OF THE
BALE GADULA IRRIGATION PROJECT (First phase, 650ha)SOCIO- ECONOMIC ENVIORNMENT BALE GADULA IRRIGATION PROJECT( Firs Phase, 6$0ha)
1. INTRODUCTION
The project is located in Bale Administrative Region Gadula and Mendeyo Awragas at about 513km from Addis Ababa and about 20km form Goro town streching along the left bank of Weib river.
The total command area of the a.m project is about ASOOha of which this study covers only 650ha.
A brief Socio-Economic survey was undertaken from may 1A to Mayl8,1991 . The objective of this study was to determine the main Socio-Economic characterstics of Existing population in the area,to asses the available infrastructures and services and to examin the main social implications 
likely to be associated with the proposed irrigation project.
The study was based on personal interviews and data collection from different organizations located inside and around the project area.2
2  Demographic features
o
2.1            Rural population
The proposed site is inhabited by pesants from Oromo ethnic group
and are fallowers of Muslim religion. The population size of Kubsa peasant associations which covers the first phase irrigable area is shown on Table 1. As shown on this table the number of family heads 
is 7^ and the total population is 697- The average family size is 
about 9- The number of pople per family is higher in relation to
other areas. The reason is polygamy type of marriage which is 
permited by moslim religion.
2.2                   Urban population
The capital town of Goro Awraga, Goro town is located at a distance
of 20km from the project area. The capital of mendeyo awraja, Robe
town is also located at a distance of 80km., Goba town which is the
the capital of Bale admi n i st ract i ve region is found at 92km, other small towns like Melyu and Selka are also found around the project area. The population in the a.m towns will be possible buyer of agricultural produces from the proposed scheme.
3• General agricultural aspects
3 • 1 Major means of 1ivelyhood
Crop farming together with livestock raising are the means of livelihood the project area. Cereals are mainly grown in the area. Some pulses,
oil seeds, spices and vegetables are also grown. Oxen ploughing is the only type of farming system in the area. It is estimated that on average each family has nearly one pair of oxen.3
j e2 Present land use
The first phase (650ha) of Bale-Gadulla irrigation project includes 
the commandable parts of Kubsa peasant association. The total area
of the peasant association is about l854ha. The landuse plan of this peasant association is shown on Table 2. of the total area only 29^ha
is under cultivation. The rest is used for pasture as a forest and
other purposes. On average each peasant family has Aha of land under cultivation. Some part of the area is covered by surface stones.
However, from the few interviews held with farmers in the area conce rned we understood that surface stones did not creat a significant problem in their rainfed farming activity and no major has been taken. This may not be the same in the case of irrigated farming. And therefore, this must be given a due consideration in the design of irrigation structure
3.3       C rops cu11 i vated
3-3-1 Rainfed crops
The major rainfed crops grown in the area are wheat, Barely, oats, spices, flax and a very small area of fruits and vegetables. There are two cropping seasons traditionally known as Belg and Meher. Of the total area under cultivation during 1989/90 production year 65^ was sown during Belg and Meher respectively. The area coverage and yields are shown on Table 3.
3-3-2 Irrigated crops
Irrigated agriculture has never been practiced within the proposed irrigation project area. However, we have been informed that a group of farmers tried to divert water from weib river which finally failed due to the fact that
they can't get the head i.e the slope around tjie river bank is lower than the down stream.L i vestock
Relatively there is a large number of livestock population in the
area. Oxen is the only source of farm power. Equines are highly 
used for public and material, transport. Livestock population in
Kubsa peasant association is shown on table A. On average each family has 10 TLUS (total livestock units) and the livestock population density(the ratio of the total livestock unit to the
area alloted for pasture) is 1.2 TLU/ha. From the table we can also observe that each family has nearly one pair of oxen and more than one equ ine.
3.5
Ownership and Land Tenure
Before the recent change of government policy two type of ownership existed
in the area , namely private and cooperative ownership. At present except
the traditional cooperative work during the peak seasons for labor
( during the months of September, December and January) only private
farming is existing in the area. Farmland is owned privately except the
area used for grazing i.e. grazing is communal.
3.6
Marketing and prices
The project area seems to have a good market potential for some agricultural
products in the surrounding areas. Goro, Robe and Goba towns are at a distanc 
of 20, 80 and 92kms respectively. Addis Ababa which is at 513 can also be another market potential for non perishable products.
Previously the prices of many crops were fixed by the government. The agricultural marketing corporation (AMC) established the quota of agricultural produces for each administrative region and awraja which service cooperatives and peasant associations had to supply. The peasant associations then requested the respective quota from individual farmers depending up on the situation of the farmer interms of his annual production and individual requirements.5
The new economic policy has dissolved the government fixed price system for most of the crops (in case where state enterprises have a monopoly 
on processing of crops prices are made by the state enterprise), like
sugar cane and cotton. The prices of crops therefore, are determined by the supply and demand of the particular crop on the free market.
The main local market centers in the area are Goro, Melyu, Robe and Goba. There is a wide seasonal price fluctuation in the free market. As shown on table 5 the average free market prices of crops grown in the area was arrived from the monthly market survey of Goro and Mendeyo Awraja MAO offices.
Private traders of various types operate in the open market. Farmers usually sell their produce in small quantities to local grain merchants and direct consumers.
Most      of      the      cereals      are      consumed      by is sold.
farmers themselves and the remaining
Prices of fertilizers, pesticides & improved seeds are fixed by the government
Infrastructures and services
4.1 Transport and communication
Goro-Ginir all weather road passes near by the project area. However, to
connect the project area to this road 12km. road construction will be
necessary.Equines are extensively used for both human and matteria)
transport         in         the         area.         The         nearest         town         where         Telecommunication         and         postal services are available is Goro town.4.2 Water Supply
River water had been used both for drinking and other uses. Recently two boreholes with respective hand pumps were provided by foreign
.a-ld. At present only one is functioning. The proposed project should have to improve the present water supply system to gurantee safe drinking water with in reasonable walking distance. This would not
only improve the health conditions and reduce the time for water fetching by women but would to certain degree increase the mandays of family labour force available for the high labour demand of a
possible irrigation scheme.
4.3      Electric power
No electric power is available in the area. The possible project
should also have to take the a.m social service into consideration.
4.4       HeaI th
There is no any health service with in the project area, peasants in
the area are using a clinic found at Amalama Village which is 15km away from the area. The future project should also have to consider this.
From the interviews with peasants of the area and health officer at Goro we understood that there is nither malaria infestation nor water borne diseases. Malnutrition and different eye diseases are the main health problems in the area.
4.5       Education
One elementary school is available in the area. For junior and senior secondary education students have to go to Goro, Ginir, Robe or Goba towns according to the availability of relatives or any supporting
family in the mentioned towns.
The       other       most       important       training       center       worth       mentioning       is       The       Agarfa farmers training center which is located at7
It is the largest farmers training center in the country. It was establi
shed in 1980 and has been giving a training for farmers in different dicipl ines. 5- Conclusions and Recommendations
The project area has been suffering from recurrent drought. From the
interv iew wi th peasants in the local lity we understood that they repeatedly had crop failures and death of animals due to the shortage of rain.
The proposed scheme will therefore have a great contribution to the effort in alleviating the problem of food shortage and to develop the cash income of peasants. The project area is far from the capital town Addis Ababa and the port of Assab. Therefore, bulky and perishable products should be produced in a limited quantity so that they can be absorbed by the local consumers.
In its future imp Iimentation the proposed scheme needs the full participation and management of peasants which is entirely new to them. However, if a good extention service is involved and farmers are exposed to a new cultural practices which are related to irrigation, there is no doubt that the project
will help in securring food production and upgrading the living standard of peasants in the area.
The study will finally suggest that in line with technical design a detail agronomic, financial and economic evaluation of the project under consideration is indispensable.8
Table 1 Population size of Kubsa peasant association
Male
Female
Tota 1
Family heads
Population
73
310
1
387
74
679
Table 2 Present land use plan of Kubsa peasant association Area(ha)
Under cultivation
294
Pasture
600
Forest
880
Others
80
Table 3 Crops grown area coverage and productivity during 1990/91 Belg and Meher production seasons.
---------------------------------- -—-
Area(ha)
Crops
Be 1 g
Meher
Average yield(qt/ha
Wheat
Barely
Oats
Ma i ze
Spices
Flax
Peas
Lenti Is
37
73
29
27
16
3
4
2
32
61
24
23
14
2
3
2
10
11
11
12
4
3
7
4
Total
191
161
..../9
Table 4 Livestock population
Type
of
Livestock
Number
of
heads
Tota 1
TLU*
Oxen
Cows
Bull culves
Hiefers
Horse
Mules
Donkey
Goats
Poultry
128
280
184
219
17
25
46
207
268
102
224
147
175
14
20
37
21
—
1374
740
* TLU -
Tropical livestock unit is an animal
factor is 0.8 for cattle and equines
of         250kg.         The         coversion and 0.1 for shoats.
• • • • /Table 5 - monthly market price survey of crops marketed in Goro and Mendeyo Awrajas.
( From April 1990 - March 1991
)
1---------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONTHS
A
M
J
J
A
S
0
N
Di         JIi      F
M
AVERAGE
Teff (red)
Wheat (white)
Barely (mixed)
Sorghum
Maize
Peas
Lentils
Chickpea
Beans
Flax
Spices
Nigerseed
75    1    85 65          66 48          50 45          46
-
150        100 200        200
150
-- 85          - 83          86
100
75
46
54
-
120
200
75
85
100
83
100
65
41
54
-
95
170
95
60
100
85
90
100
65
41
54
50
110
150
85
60
90
81
90
80          90
70          80
41         ;so
54          58
-- 95          95
160        160
85
.
05
60     i 60
90     I 90
85     ! 105
100 100
110
85
70
65
75
110
145
85
60
95
110
100
135 I   130       150       170
95 !  105       100       120 80           70 I    85         90 60         60         60         70 75       120         -
100      110       110       110 150      135       140     I 140
I 90 80 80 ; 80
68        70         70
105 110 100 I 100
110 110 110 110
100 100 100 100
I 70
110
83
59
57
80
109
153
90
66
97
96
98
______

Summery

Bale Gadula Irrigation Project Summary

Socio-Economic Survey of the Bale Gadula Irrigation Project

Project Overview

Location: Bale Administrative Region, Gaoula and Mendeyo Awragas, 513km from Addis Ababa, 20km from Goro town

Total Command Area: 4,500ha (First phase covers 650ha)

Survey Date: May 14-18, 1991

Purpose: Assess socio-economic characteristics, available infrastructure, and social implications of the proposed irrigation project

Key Findings

Demographic Features

Population: 697 people (74 family heads) in Kubsa peasant association
Ethnicity/Religion: Oromo ethnic group, predominantly Muslim
Average Family Size: 9 (higher than average due to polygamy)
Nearby Urban Centers: Goro (20km), Robe (80km), Goba (92km)

Agricultural Aspects

Main Livelihood: Crop farming and livestock raising
Farming System: Oxen ploughing (average of one pair per family)

Land Use (Kubsa PA):

Use	Area (ha)
Under cultivation	294
Pasture	600
Forest	880
Others	80
Total	1,854

Major Crops: Wheat, barley, oats, maize, spices, flax, peas, lentils
Livestock: Average of 10 Tropical Livestock Units (TLU) per family
Land Tenure: Private ownership with communal grazing areas

Infrastructure and Services

Transport: Goro-Ginir all-weather road nearby (12km connection needed)
Water Supply: River water and one functioning borehole with hand pump
Electricity: Not available in the area
Health: No local services (nearest clinic 15km away); main issues are malnutrition and eye diseases
Education: One elementary school locally; secondary education requires travel to nearby towns

Market Conditions

Significant seasonal price fluctuations for crops
Transition from government-fixed prices to free market system
Main market centers: Goro, Melyu, Robe, Goba
Most cereals consumed locally with surplus sold

            Conclusions and Recommendations
            Area suffers from recurrent drought causing crop failures and livestock deaths
Irrigation project would significantly improve food security and cash income
Need for farmer participation and management training for irrigation practices
Recommend detailed agronomic, financial and economic evaluation
Suggest improvements to water supply, health services, and infrastructure

               
            