Impact of small‐scale irrigation on household poverty: empirical evidence from the Ambo district in Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was conducted in the Ambo district of western Ethiopia in 2006 to understand the poverty reduction impacts of smallscale irrigation development, using the Indris irrigation system as a case study. The study was based on a survey of representative farm households with and without access to irrigation. The total sample size for the study was 222 (107 households with access to irrigation and 115 without). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Foster, Greer and Thobeck poverty indices, and Heckman's selectivity model. Results indicate that the incidence, depth, and severity of poverty are significantly lower among those farm households with access to irrigation. In addition to irrigation, other variables such as farm size, livestock holding size, land productivity, and family size significantly influence the level of household consumption expenditure. However, the proportion of poor people in the overall sample, notwithstanding access to irrigation, is alarmingly high, indicating the deep-rooted and critical situation of poverty in rural Ethiopia.

Adoption of Small-Scale Irrigation Farming as a Climate-Smart Agriculture Practice and Its Influence on Household Income in the Chinyanja Triangle, Southern Africa

“…However, closely related literature which discusses adoption of small-scale irrigation in SSA is available. For instance, Bacha et al [17] conducted a study in the Ambo district of western Ethiopia to assess the impact of small-scale irrigation development on poverty reduction using a case study of Indris irrigation system. Their study found out that the incidence, depth and severity of poverty were significantly lower among households with access to small-scale irrigation.…”

Determinant of farmers’ ability to pay for improved irrigation water supply in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…One such intervention is improving market information systems, by improving feeder roads or reducing the fees that traders pay to transport products between markets. Therefore, farmers' perception of their roads is one way to determine their access to market (Arias et al, 2013). In the present study, farmers' perceptions have been used as a proxy for market access, and 81% of the respondents perceived their roads to be in good condition.…”

“…According to Arias et al (2013), when market integration of producers is limited, interventions to reduce barriers to market participation will often have a greater payoff. One such intervention is improving market information systems, by improving feeder roads or reducing the fees that traders pay to transport products between markets.…”

“…Smallholder irrigation is an important rural development factor, creating employment opportunities, generating income and enhancing food security in Africa in general, and in South Africa (SA) in particular (Bacha et al, 2011;Denison and Manona, 2007;Speelman, 2009). As a result, South Africa has invested in the sector by rehabilitating existing irrigation schemes (Perret and Geyser, 2007).…”

Review on participatory small-scale irrigation schemes and small-scale rainwater harvesting technology development and its contribution to household food security in Ethiopia

“…The irrigators had also better access to extension and credit services (Figure 9). In conclusion, irrigators are better in terms of food security status and other welfare indicators (Dereje Bacha et al, 2011). …”