ABSTRACT
This chapter presents and discusses the land and water resources of the study area - the Wadi Laba spate irrigation system. It mainly focuses on the analyses of the infiltration rates and water holding capacities of the Wadi Laba soils. These are the two most important soil physical properties. The major crops, sorghum and maize, complete their entire growth cycle on the basis of the residual moisture; and the flood water is highly unpredictable in occurrence making it necessary that the large irrigation gift (50 cm) recedes timely for the next irrigation. Given its significant impact on infiltration and water holding capacity, the soil texture of the irrigated fields is discussed at length. A description of the infrastructure and the design and layout of the irrigation system before and after the water management reforms, and the crop and livestock production systems, is also provided.
