Economic and food security effects of small-scale irrigation technologies in northern Ghana

Balana, Bedru; Bizimana, Jean‐Claude; Richardson, James W.; Lefore, Nicole; Adimassu, Zenebe; Herbst, Brian K.

doi:10.1016/j.wre.2019.03.001

Cited by 54 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in their study of irrigated vegetables also found similar yield ranges for tomato. Our onion yield estimate is very low at 3.7 mt/ha (Balana 2017). IWMI estimates show higher yields of 9.0 mt/ha in Bawku West, Upper East.…”

Section: Yieldscontrasting

confidence: 62%

Competitiveness of the Ghanaian vegetable sector: Findings from a farmer survey

Asselt¹,

Kolavalli²

2018

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This study looks broadly at the state of vegetable competitiveness in Ghana; focusing on trade, production, profitability, and marketing. Ghana is dependent on imports to meet its vegetable consumption requirements. While Ghana has the potential to meet local vegetable demand because of its diverse agro-ecological zones, currently production is highly seasonal and yields are significantly lower than in neighboring countries. Large urban markets are restricted by networks of traders and, while farmers can get higher prices through these networks, many farmers lack market power and struggle to access the marketing networks. This may lower incentives for vegetable farmers to increase their production. However, despite these challenges, vegetable production is profitable and there is potential for significant expansion. Strategies to improve yields as well as measures to remove restrictions on entry to major markets should be considered to provide increased opportunities for import-substitution of profitable vegetables in Ghana.

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Section: Yieldscontrasting

confidence: 62%

Competitiveness of the Ghanaian vegetable sector: Findings from a farmer survey

Asselt¹,

Kolavalli²

2018

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“…Access to the information system: 0 = "No," 1 = "Yes." 5 Average revenue: thousand Ugandan shilling per acre. 6 Average profit: thousand Ugandan shilling per acre.…”

Section: Study Design and Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Exploiting the potential of irrigation is particularly important in import-dependent, food-insecure developing countries, where the majority of the population is employed in agriculture. Despite their role in economic growth and the received investment, irrigation programs and established schemes are still underperforming in exploiting their potential [1][2][3][4][5]. Among many irrigation programs, transferring more management responsibilities to farmers proved to be a viable path toward improving scheme performance [6][7][8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Effect of Farmers’ Participation in Irrigation Management on Farm Productivity and Profitability in the Mubuku Irrigation Scheme, Uganda

Pék

Fertő

Alobid

2019

Water

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Irrigation remains a critical input into farming and, therefore, it remains a proxy for food security and poverty alleviation in developing countries. Despite their role in economic growth and the received investment, irrigation schemes are still underperforming. Among many irrigation schemes, transferring more management responsibilities to farmers proved to be a viable path toward improving performance. However, the large diversity of implementation strategies makes evaluation difficult, while its well-demonstrated benefits have paramount importance to convince reluctant smallholders to take additional roles. In order to address this gap, we analyze the effects of participation on farming outcomes (yield, revenue, net profit) by estimating the treatment effect. We present the case study of a Mubuku small-scale irrigation scheme, Uganda. We provide a framework to construct the Farmers Participation Index while distinguishing farmers into participating and not participating groups. The effects of participation are investigated through econometric methods including nonparametric and semiparametric estimation methods such as a difference in means, a regression adjustment, propensity score matching, and entropy balancing. The analysis reveals a positive and significant treatment effect of participation on farming outcomes. The obtained results endorse the efforts of governmental programs to foster responsibility transfer and the farmers’ role in irrigation management. A strong causal relationship between management and profitability provides incentives for farmers to engage in participation.

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“…Other studies that have compared the outcomes of irrigators and non-irrigators in Northern Ghana show potential for irrigation to improve income, increase employment, and provide other benefits across a range of different technologies and water sources (Balana et al, 2018;Dinye and Ayitio, 2013;Adimassu et al, 2016;Akudugu et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies examining the profitability of different types of small-scale irrigation schemes find that most small-scale systems (including some traditional systems) are economically feasible even when the cost of family labor is taken in to account, although traditional schemes have limited area coverage (Balana et al, 2018;Namara et al, 2011b). Owusu (2016) finds that groundwater irrigators using motor pumps have higher financial returns to irrigation and higher value-added output per family worker compared to other types of irrigation schemes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Irrigation-nutrition linkages: Evidence from northern Ghana

Mekonnen¹,

Choufani²,

Bryan³

et al. 2019

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The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), established in 1975, provides researchbased policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. IFPRI's strategic research aims to foster a climate-resilient and sustainable food supply; promote healthy diets and nutrition for all; build inclusive and efficient markets, trade systems, and food industries; transform agricultural and rural economies; and strengthen institutions and governance. Gender is integrated in all the Institute's work. Partnerships, communications, capacity strengthening, and data and knowledge management are essential components to translate IFPRI's research from action to impact. The Institute's regional and country programs play a critical role in responding to demand for food policy research and in delivering holistic support for country-led development. IFPRI collaborates with partners around the world.

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Economic and food security effects of small-scale irrigation technologies in northern Ghana

Cited by 54 publications

References 20 publications

Competitiveness of the Ghanaian vegetable sector: Findings from a farmer survey

Competitiveness of the Ghanaian vegetable sector: Findings from a farmer survey

Evaluating the Effect of Farmers’ Participation in Irrigation Management on Farm Productivity and Profitability in the Mubuku Irrigation Scheme, Uganda

Irrigation-nutrition linkages: Evidence from northern Ghana

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