About This Project

This project aims to improve irrigation efficiency in Ethiopia’s critical Upper Awash region by introducing climate-smart water management using remote sensing. It addresses outdated practices, unreliable climate data, and rising climate stress. By integrating real-time data and local conditions, the study will develop and validate resilient irrigation strategies to enhance productivity in this key agricultural zone.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The Upper Awash Basin in Ethiopia is a major agricultural zone, supplying food to urban centers and supporting national economic growth. However, the region faces increasing pressure from climate change, water scarcity, and inefficient irrigation practices. Smallholder farmers often lack access to modern water management tools, leading to crop losses and resource conflicts. This project aims to address these challenges by introducing climate-smart, remote sensing–based irrigation solutions. By combining field data with satellite observations, it seeks to optimize water use, improve crop yields, and support sustainable livelihoods. The study aligns with national priorities in food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

What is the significance of this project?

This study is significant as it addresses critical challenges in Ethiopia’s agriculture inefficient irrigation, climate stress, and water scarcity particularly in the Upper Awash Basin, a region vital for national food production. By integrating climate-smart irrigation strategies with remote sensing technologies, the study offers scalable solutions to enhance water productivity and reduce resource conflict among users. Its findings will support policymakers, extension workers, and farmers by providing data-driven recommendations for sustainable irrigation management. Ultimately, the project contributes to food security, climate adaptation, and economic development, directly aligning with Ethiopia’s national and regional priorities.

What are the goals of the project?

The project aims to assess climate change impacts on irrigation and improve water use efficiency in the Upper Awash region using remote sensing tools like Landsat 8 & 9 and Sentinel-2 to monitor evapotranspiration, vegetation health, and land surface temperature. We will develop a regression model integrating remote sensing and field data to support predictive irrigation management. Field experiments with 30–40 farmers across diverse agro-ecological zones will test climate-smart irrigation practices, comparing traditional and sensor-based methods. Sustainable water management practices, including optimized scheduling and deficit irrigation, will be promoted, tailored to climate variability and farmers’ knowledge to enhance food security and resilience in the Upper Awash basin.