PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF IRRIGATION SCHEMES IN NORTHERN GHANA USING COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Abstract

The study assessed the performance of irrigation schemes in Northern Ghana using comparative performance indicators. It was carried out in Tono, Vea, Doba, Libga, Bontanga and Golinga irrigation schemes in the Upper East and Northern Regions of Ghana. The performance for the years of 2010 - 2014 were evaluated using selected comparative indicators, classified into five (5) groups, namely; water delivery, physical structures, financial, environmental condition and agricultural production performance. The problems of the schemes were also identified. Field measurements, laboratory analysis, interviews and literature review were used for data collection. The study revealed that the flow lengths of the main canals at the Tono, Vea, Doba and Libga irrigation schemes have reduced due to low reservoir water levels and infrastructural deficiencies. The developed irrigable area in Tono, Vea and Doba was under-utilised with irrigation rates ranging from 8 – 54 % while that of Libga, Bontanga and Golinga was put to full capacity use with irrigation rates ranging from 91 – 100 %. Irrigation service charges recovery was poor in the Vea, Libga and Bontanga schemes with recovery efficiency ranging from 19 – 52 % whereas the recovery was good in the Tono, Doba and Golinga schemes with efficiency ranging from 75 – 96 %. The irrigation schemes were not financially self-sufficient as they recorded low rates of 1.3 – 59 %. The Doba, Vea and Tono schemes recorded low sustainability of irrigated area indices 0 – 49 % whereas the Libga, Bontanga and Golinga recorded high indices of 95 - 100 %. Most of the irrigation infrastructure in the Tono, Vea, Doba and Libga schemes were in very poor working condition with high poor structure indices of 30 – 96 %. The road networks of the Tono, Libga, Bontanga and Golinga schemes were in good working condition as they recorded roads passability efficiency of 96 – 100 % whereas that of Vea scheme were severely eroded leaving gullies. Salinity and sodicity were observed as problems in the Libga scheme. The production of vegetables in all the irrigation schemes had drastically declined in recent years due to nematodes infestation. Irrigated farming at the upstream of reservoirs and destruction of reservoir protection vegetation were observed in all the schemes. Farmers in the irrigation schemes have responded to some of the constraints and problems by adaptation, improvisation, maintenance and abandonment. The Tono, Doba, Vea, and Libga irrigation schemes needed to be rehabilitated to improve performance.