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Evaluating Groundwater Potential and Well Siting Strategies in Ethiopia

The Government of Ethiopia¡¯s Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), along with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), works to increase food security and the livelihoods of farmers.

Our team and local partners were tasked to develop a replicable approach to determine the potential of shallow groundwater for expanding small farm irrigation. A field study involving interviews, pumping tests, water level measurements, water quality tests, and desktop studies included geographic information system (GIS) analysis and a recharge/climate change analysis. During the evaluation, we developed an Irrigable Land Potential (ILaP) calculator to determine a watershed¡¯s potential for irrigation. The team hosted a workshop and study tour to present the tool and how it can be used for the planning and management of groundwater resources to government officials, donors, policy makers, and non-governmental organizations.

By providing an easy to use methodology and tool to determine a watershed¡¯s ability to sustainably support increased agriculture, we were able to support Ethiopia¡¯s ATA in their ongoing pursuit of increased food security.