SIGNIFICANCE OF SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION IN IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD OF HOUSEHOLDS: A CASE STUDY AT ARSI NEGELE DISTRICT, WEST ARSI ZONE, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This purpose of this study was to examine the significance of small-scale irrigation in improving the livelihoods of the beneficiary households by ensuring food security in Arsi Negelle Woreda of West Arsi Zone, Oromia region. Its specific objective was to assess the impact of irrigation on household food security, paying particular attention to its contribution towards increasing agricultural production, household income and the potential to reduce dependency on food assistance. A total of 170 household heads, who adequately represented Arsi Negelle woreda as homogenous community, were selected via simple random sampling technique. To serve these objectives, household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview were used to collect data at household and individual level. Annual household production, income generated, asset owned and other socio-economic data were collected using structured questionnaire with the help of local DAs after a brief highlight was given. Background information of the study area, irrigation potential, beneficiaries, market survey, etc. data were collected from concerned government line departments in the woreda. The study revealed that the irrigation scheme enhanced household food security and their wellbeing during the off-farming (dry) season, and in addition it has helped to sustain, diversify and increased agricultural production. The Irrigation had enabled farmers to generate more income and maintain productive assets. The study had also revealed that irrigation promotes the use of agricultural inputs through supply of water during the dry season and when the amount and distribution of the main rain is found to be inadequate. Such opportunity of irrigation improves food availability and the food security situation of households. vii The result of this study also shows that households with access to irrigation have been able to double their annual income through the production of high value horticultural crops. Irrigation is providing gainful self-employment for participants and improving household access to marketable food. Moreover, households could diversify their diet composition and be in a better nutrition status due to diversified food sources produced through the use of irrigation.