Performance Assessment of Irrigation Schemes in Northern Ghana Using Comparative Performance Indicators

The study assessed the performance of irrigation schemes in Northern Ghana using comparative performance indicators. It was carried out in the Tono, Vea, Doba Libga, Bontanga and Golinga irrigation schemes in the Upper East and Northern Regions of Ghana. The performance for the years of 2010 - 2014 were evaluated using selected comparative indicators, classified into four (4) groups, namely; water delivery, physical structures, financial and crop production performance. The study revealed that the flow lengths of the main canals at the Tono, Vea, Doba and Libga irrigation schemes have reduced due to low reservoir water levels and infrastructural deficiencies. The developed irrigable area in Tono, Vea and Doba was under-utilized with irrigation rates ranging from 8 ? 54 % while that of Libga, Bontanga and Golinga was put to full capacity use with irrigation rates ranging from 91 ? 100 %. Irrigation service charges recovery was poor in the Vea, Libga and Bontanga schemes with recovery efficiency ranging from 19 ? 52 % whereas the recovery was good in the Tono, Doba and Golinga schemes with efficiency ranging from 75 ? 96 %. The irrigation schemes were not financially self-sufficient as they recorded low rates of 1.3 ? 59 %. The Doba, Vea and Tono schemes recorded low sustainability of irrigated area indices 0 ? 49 % whereas the Libga, Bontanga and Golinga recorded high indices of 95 - 100 %. The production levels of cereals and vegetables in the schemes had drastically declined both in area cropped and yield due to poor state of irrigation facilities, high prices of agro-chemicals, poor market, nematodes infestation and, low interest by farmers. Payment of irrigation service charges before cropping should be adopted by the management of the irrigation schemes to improve recovery rates. Penalties for non-payment of irrigation service charges should be applied on defaulters. Annual adjustment of irrigation service charges have been recommended to meet cost recovery. PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) management of the irrigation schemes have also been recommended to ensure proper management and good performance.