Evaluation and Proposals for Improving Irrigation Performance Around Small Reservoirs in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Irrigation of crops using water from the Savili and Mogtédo reservoirs in Burkina Faso provides an opportunity to increase rural incomes. In order to ensure the sustainability and improvement of the irrigation infrastructure, it is necessary to monitor and evaluate its technical performance. To this end, the authors evaluated crop water use efficiency, water application, and conveyance efficiencies; modeled theoretical irrigation schedules for comparison with actual irrigation schedules; and assessed overall water management. The results show that water application efficiencies were less than 20% at Savili, and between 41% and 55% at Mogtédo. Water use efficiencies ranged from 1.12 to 3.4 kg m−3 for Allium cepa (onion) in three networks, 0.31 kg m−3 for Zea mays (corn) at Mogtédo, and 0.34 kg m−3 for Phaseolus vulgaris (green beans) at Savili. Poor irrigation management resulted in significant water loss, estimated to be 2,999,923 m3/year for the Mogtédo and Savili sites. The main reason for this underperformance seems to be related to technical and organizational failures by producers. Strengthening local farmers’ technical and organizational capacities could help improve network performance and achieve significant water savings.