Water scarcity is a big problem for farming in dry areas. This study looked at how to grow maize with less water in Ethiopia. They tested different levels of watering the crops. They found that giving less water during the middle of the growing season hurt the yield the most. But giving less water at the beginning or end of the season didn't hurt the yield as much. Overall, using less water throughout the season actually made the crops more efficient in using water. So, even though giving the crops all the water they need gives the most yield, using less water can still be a good idea for farmers.