Effects and Mitigations Reviews of Water Logging and Salinity Problems on Agricultural Land in the Case of Ethiopia

This paper reviews sources, causes, extent, effect, and remedies of problems with waterlogging and salinity in the agricultural land in the case of Ethiopia. Due to extensive seepage into the groundwater and agricultural problems land suffers from waterlogging and salinization. These issues can be managed by using either preventive or corrective strategies. Waterlogging and salinization are serious obstacles to the long-term viability of irrigated agricultural lands and the livelihoods of farmers in the afflicted areas, particularly smallholders. Waterlogging and salinization are caused by a variety of circumstances, including seepage from unlined clay canals, insufficient surface and subsurface drainage, poor water management methods, insufficient water supply, and irrigation with low-quality groundwater. According to the reviews, the surface drainage systems built were initially successful in lowering groundwater levels in an agricultural area selected based on the economy of the farmer. Overall success was restricted, however, due to poor system operation and maintenance, as well as a lack of suitable facilities for the disposal of saline drainage effluent. To put it another way, lowering groundwater levels through deep tube wells, salt leaching from excessive irrigation, chemical additions (gypsum, acids, organic matter), and biological and physical approaches are all options. Generally, this review paper gives an overview of several solutions for waterlogging and salinity concerns as well as their appropriateness and limitations in areas of agricultural lands.