Assessment of Land Suitability and Water Availability for Surface Irrigation in North Wollo Zones of Amhara Region.

Despite Ethiopia’s abundant land, water resources, and labor potential, only a small fraction of its irrigable land is currently utilized. All rural Woreda of North Wollo Zone have been grouped as the most drought-prone and food insecure in the Amhara Region. To combat increasing droughts and improve crop yields, the potential expansion irrigation projects will be the promising tools. This study assessed land suitability and water availability for surface irrigation in the North Wollo Zone using a GIS-based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Key physical and socio-economic factors including land use/land cover, soil capability index (SCI), slope, accessibility, climate variables, population density, and proximity to rivers were considered. Groundwater suitability was evaluated based on depth, aquifer storage, and salinity. A pairwise comparison matrix was used to assign weights to each factor, and the resulting data were reclassified into different suitability categories based on FAO guidelines and relevant literature. Weighted overlay analysis, revealed that 2,303 km² (18%) of the area is suitable for surface irrigation from rivers, while 3,326 km² (26%) is suitable using groundwater. Kobo, Habru, and Wadla were most suitable for surface irrigation, whereas Meket, Kobo, and Habru showed high potential for groundwater use. Among the limiting factors, slope had the greatest impact, followed by river proximity (for surface water) and groundwater depth (for groundwater use). Hydrological analysis showed that 51 km² could be irrigated without storage infrastructure. The Alawha River alone could support 42 km² (82%) of this potential area, while the remaining three rivers could irrigate only 9 km² (18%). The suitability analysis was validated using existing irrigation projects in the study area, all of which (100%) fell within the identified suitable zones. Additionally, nearly all wells were located in areas deemed suitable for groundwater-based irrigation. This study highlights significant areas with potential for surface irrigation using both river and groundwater sources. It recommends that future development prioritize these zones while addressing slope, river proximity, and groundwater depth to enhance irrigation efficiency.<br>