Abstract:
Ethiopian economy is highly dependent on agriculture which is dominated by traditional rain-fed small-scale farmers. The government is working on irrigation development giving special emphasis to research activities on irrigation at different scales. But the reason for not intensively utilized water potential in and impact of small-scale irrigation on household income has not been systematically assessed in Abay Chomen district. This study was conducted to identify factors that determine household’s participation in irrigation and evaluate the impact of participation in small-scale irrigation on household income in the district. In this study, two-stage sampling technique was used to select 167 target respondents. The primary data were collected using an interview schedule and conducting focus group discussions and key informant interview. Various documents were reviewed to collect the secondary data. To analyze the data, double hurdle model was employed to identify the determinants of participation and intensity of participation in small-scale irrigation. The result revealed that number of oxen, market distance, farm distance from irrigation water source, market information and credit use significantly determine participation in small-scale irrigation. The analysis from truncated part of double hurdle model shows that age, number of oxen owned, market distance, education level, road distance and access to credit significantly determine the intensity of participation in small-scale irrigation. The Propensity Score Matching model result also revealed that the irrigation participation had a significant effect on household income. Moreover, different constraints related with lack of market access, topography associated with distance of land from water source, inadequate government support, and poor or nonexistent market linkage, poor irrigation water management and development were forwarded by the participants. To solve the problems and improve small-scale irrigation participation, the government, specially irrigation development office of the district should attempt to hamper factors that hinder participation in small-scale irrigation and enhance factors that initiates participation in small-scale irrigation identified in the study area.
