Abstract:
In Ethiopia, the main factor that affects smallholder agriculture is lack of adequate rainfall
accompanied by its erratic nature, late onset and early offset of rainfall. Irrigation developments and
use is one of the modalities to solve this problem and has been given significant attention in economic
development programs of the country. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify
factors affecting the utilization of small scale irrigation and to examine the perception of farmers’ in
relation to utilization of small scale irrigation. Primary and secondary data were collected from
respective sample respondents. The primary data were collected through interviewing of key
informants, focus group discussion, and interviews with concerned sector offices while secondary
data were collected from publications, reports and internet sources. A multi-stage sampling method
was employed to select sample respondents. Out of the 36 Dugda woreda kebeles, 3 of them were
selected purposively and the sampled respondents were stratified into users and non-users of small
scale irrigation utilization. Moreover, 116 sample respondents were selected from each stratum by
applying probability proportional to size. In this study, descriptive statistics, binary logit model and
likert- type scale measurement data analysis were employed. The descriptive statistics revealed that
out of total sample respondents, about 89(76.72%) were male while 27(23.28%) were female.
Similarly, there were differences of opinions in educational level, credit service, in participation of
training, off and non-farm activities and number of livestock owned while access to market
information, access to improved irrigation technologies, age, soil fertility status and total farm land
owned were found to be significantly affecting utilization of small scale irrigation. The model output
also showed that age, total household size, access to market information, access to irrigation
technologies, education level of household and soil fertility status were the major determinants and
significantly affecting the decision of utilizing small scale irrigation. In addition, the study revealed
that there were differences in opinion and perceptions in utilizing small scale irrigation. The
government and concerned stakeholders should support irrigation users to enable them get relevant
and season specific information, promote networking system, avail modern technologies that
facilitate irrigation utilization and facilitate market linkages to bring smallholders on board..
