Salinity Assessment: Status and Spatial Distribution in Case of Ayni-qaqa Irrigation Scheme in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

In the arid and semi-arid areas, soil salinity can be a significant concern to soil properties and has detrimental effects on the environment, agroecosystems, and crop yield and quality. Small-scale producers around Ayni-qaqa irrigation scheme have been suffering from crop yield reduction and various investment losses, because of the spread of salinity problems due to the long-lasting intensive irrigation practices. Study was conducted to assess the level of salinity at the scheme. A total of 128 soil samples from four sites of the scheme were collected during both dry and wet seasons for salinity assessment. Quantitative analysis was conducted for 9 salinity parameters and compared with the globally acceptable limits. Although the variation between soil depths is not significant, it is witnessed that around 50% of the scheme is affected by salinity. The highest salt accumulation across the soil profile was observed during the dry season as compared to that of the wet season. Intensive irrigation during both seasons at site four led to high salt concentration as compared to the other sites. Hence, community-based participatory salinity management strategies; involving the local farmers, experts, and stakeholders by creating awareness could possibly be useful to reverse the salinity problems.