Determining Factors of Household Decision to Participate on Small Scale Irrigation Practices in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Hailu Sodana Teka ,Wanzahun Godana

doi:10.7176/jpid/57-02

Abstract

Africa has been promoting small-scale irrigated agriculture as a means of ensuring food security as well as improving the standard of living of rural poor. The main aim of this study was to analyze the determining factors of household decision to participate on Small-Scale Irrigation Practices in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. The study employed both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data was collected from randomly selected 150 households through interview schedules. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and econometric methods of analysis. Descriptive result indicated that only 28.67% of households participate on small scale irrigation practices and it is still low as compared to large population size of Wolaita Zone. Collapsed canal banks, unstable embankments, leaking lining in elevated embankments, and cattle climbing in and out of the canal are identified as canal related problems whereas lack of appropriate water laws, absence of irrigation association bylaws, conflicts, and sense of ownership are also management problems. Binary logistic result also revealed that location of the household from upstream side of the river, higher household income, being young-aged household head, owning large number of livestock, better accessing market, being male headed household, and attending in higher education improve the household decision to participate on small scale irrigation practices. The authors strongly recommended government, non-governmental organizations, and other concerned stalk holders to give emphasis on intensifying the use of modern agricultural technologies, strengthening the existing irrigation potentials, providing periodic awareness training, and providing different water holding structures to non-users. Keywords: smallholder farmers, small scale irrigation, participation, binary logistic model; DOI: 10.7176/JPID/57-02 Publication date: December 31 st 2020

Highlights

In Ethiopia agricultural production is mainly rain fed which is often erratic, unbalanced, and insufficient and becomes the main cause to low production and frequent food shortage
Binary logistic result revealed that location of the household from upstream side of the river, higher household income, being young-aged household head, owning large number of livestock, better accessing market, being male headed household, and attending in higher education improve the household decision to participate on small scale irrigation practices
DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS Demographic factors: most of rural households (81.33%) are male headed and 18.67% are female headed (Figure 1). To see this on user-non-user basis, 90.67% of irrigation users are male headed and 9.33% of them are female headed whereas 73.33% of non-irrigation users are male headed and 26.67% of them are female headed (Table 3). This tells that males are actively participating in small scale irrigation practices than women

Summary

Introduction

In Ethiopia agricultural production is mainly rain fed which is often erratic, unbalanced, and insufficient and becomes the main cause to low production and frequent food shortage. Irrigation has the potential to stabilize this variability in agricultural production and reduces its impact on people’s livelihood (Abebawu et al, 2015). It has a multifaceted role in contributing towards food security, self-sufficiency, food production for the local market and exports (Chazovachii B., 2012). There are four interrelated mechanisms by which irrigated agriculture improves household income and food security. To mention, it promotes greater use of yield enhancing farm inputs; increases farm production and productivity; plays greater role in additional employment creation; and protects poor households against risks of crop loss due to erratic, unreliable or insufficient rainfall (Haile T., 2008)

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Conclusion