Characterization and Evaluation of Some Soils of Gode in Eastern Ethiopia as Affected by Salinity and Alkalinity induced by Irrigation Canal: A Case Study Volume 6 - Issue 1

Mahamed Badel Mahamed¹ and Mishra BB²*

• ¹Somali Region Pastoral and Agro-pastoral Research Institute, Ethiopia
• ²Former Professor, World Bank Project, Alemaya University, Ethiopia

Received: January 18, 2021   Published: January 28, 2021

Corresponding author: Mishra BB, Former Professor, World Bank Project, Alemaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

DOI: 10.32474/OAJESS.2021.06.000227

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Abstract

West Gode area of the Somali region in the eastern Ethiopia has been traditionally addicted and ideally suitable for pastoralism with virtually very limited acreage under crops. The construction of irrigation canal in the west Gode for assured irrigation could have successfully changed the farming system towards crop production. However, the impact of irrigation water is now polluting the soils of the whole catchment leading to physical, chemical, and even biological degradation unless suitable managements are taken. Four representative profiles were studied for their morphological description and other relevant characterization in order to assess the degree and magnitude of the preferred land characteristics as well as qualities. The soils occurring near the main canal are getting more affected as compared to the soils away from the canal. However, the diversion channels in the catchment followed by frequent use of water for irrigation unscientifically are aggravating the severity of such problems almost throughout the study area. The soils were evaluated to be highly productive in their potential productivity, but the actual productivity is getting deteriorated at an alarming rate. The area has twin resource avenues for green as well as white revolutions. This calls for quick intervention of the federal government on priority basis in order to safeguard the problems at the initial stage of their emergence. The problem is directly related to the food insecurity of a large population in the catchment.

Keywords: West Gode; somali region; canal irrigation; salinity and alkalinity; productivity evaluation; problem identification; improvement suggested

Abstract| Introduction| Materials and Methods| Results and Discussion| Conclusion| Immediate Future Trend of Research and Related Activities Warranted| Acknowledgements| References|