Evaluating Water and Economic Productivity of Using Bar Shaped Clay Pot Subsurface Irrigation Technology Sustainable Production in the Dry Lands

Abstract

Managing irrigation water is among the critical issues to address food insecurity to the ever increasing population under climate change and variability conditions. A comparative study has been undertaken between bar shaped clay pot and furrow irrigation on tomato, pepper and Swiss chard plots in Mekelle University Campus, Tigray, Ethiopia. Results were compared on the basis of yield response, water productivity and economic performance. Yield response comparison between the treatments has showed that highest yield (pConsequently, water productivity assessment has showed that the highest productivity was obtained from bar shaped clay pot practices. The values were 10.91 kg m-3, 4.17 kg m-3, and 1.82 kg m-3 in bar shaped clay pot while 4.05 kg m-3, 1.84 kg m-3 and 0.82 kg m-3 in furrow irrigation practices for Swiss chard, tomato and pepper respectively. The highest economic performance was obtained in furrow irrigation during the first harvest due to higher initial investment on clay pot. However, after return to investment (six consecutive harvests) the bar shaped clay pot irrigation was highly superior in economic performance compared to the furrow irrigation practices. As net income indicated that; 374,761.8, 226,066.2 and 182,846 birr was obtained in Swiss chard, tomato and pepper respectively. Sensitivity analysis has also indicated that adoption of the findings is feasible and practical. After sensitivity checking the marginal rate of return was 432.7%, 156.9% and 148.6% in Swiss chard, pepper and tomato correspondingly. However, the marginal rate of return was decreased but above the limit. In nutshell, the bar shaped clay pot irrigation practice was found out to be viable option to adapt climate variability in terms of increased yield, water saving and economic performance. Further research on the suitability of bar shaped clay pot irrigation on various soils and crops is recommended.