In northern Ethiopia, in an effort to address the problem of
recurrent drought and related famine and food insecurity, it is
attempted to harvest all water sources including ground waters,
rivers and runoff water in micro-dams for use both in households
and for small-scale irrigation schemes. It is recognized that an
appropriate utilization of ground waters, rivers and constructed
micro-dams for irrigation will result in sustained productivity.
Food security is a major concern in the region and irrigation has
numerous potential benefits. Most importantly, it may contribute
substantially to food security and economic progress, which in
turn provides rural households with improved access to health
care delivery services and education (Keiser et al., 2005).