Abstract:
Human civilization and socioeconomic development are strongly linked to the ability to manage and utilize water for beneficial purposes such as agriculture and clean water supply, as well as cope with the negative externalities of water impact such as flood, drought, and contaminations. The objective of the study was to assess to assess Socio-economic Utilization, Water Harnessing System and determinant factors in Upper Awash River Ethiopia, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were used to collect primary data. Secondary data were also obtained from published papers in scientific journals, books, project reports, unpublished materials and maps. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression models were used to analyze the data using SPSS software version 24.0. A total of 180 sample respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique from five randomly selected kebeles for primary data collection. Grain crops account for the greatest proportion of per capita lands covered by different crops in the area (203.32±198.80 ha). Farmers in Awash Boloto kebele had the highest mean per capital area of grain cropped land (658.64±516.88 h). Cattle production also accounts for the majority of livestock production (47.4%). The Gare Arera kebele had the highest mean per capita cattle population owned by respondents (5.5±2.4). The average total annual income from livestock was also 332000.00±237587.87 ETB. Ginch Town (87500.00±88388.34 ETB) had the highest total annual income from livestock. The mean total annual income from crop production was 36515.99±23490.34ETB.Cereal crop income provided the greatest contribution (12744.4±10049.10 ETB). Wamura Seqo (2134.07±2055.74 ETB) kebele had the highest mean per capita income from grain crops. The overall land use per person also increased from 361ha to 644ha in the last five years (p<0.05). The total annual water consumption for livestock catering, irrigation, bathing, home consumption and other purposes is estimated to be 1159061.5±76383.79 mm3, 625138.2±525151.01 mm3, 116940.12±100304.85 mm3, 102108.15±38269.85 mm3 and 63409.28±53468.94mm3, respectively. The overall per capita water consumption of households also increased from 87323.516 to 424133.65 m3 in the last five years. Except for marital status, all of the variables considered in this study were found to have a significant impact on the respondents' water harvesting system (p<0.05). Furthermore, the majority of respondents (96.1%, 98.3%, and 96.7%, respectively) strongly agreed on the high water quantity/volume change, quality change, and both quality and quantity change of river water associated with unwise river water harnessing. This requires the collaboration of all concerned parties to manage water resources and sustainably use the river
