IMPACT OF SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL FARM HOUSEHOLDS: The case of Enderta District in Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Irrigation is one means by which agricultural production can be increased to meet the growing food demand in Ethiopia. Small scale irrigation is becoming the main mechanism in livelihood enhancement discourse especially in recent times when the rainfall pattern is becoming erratic in the country. The study examines the impact of small scale irrigation on the livelihood of rural farm households in Enderta district, Tigray regional state, Ethiopia. It focuses on how small scale irrigation could improve the livelihood assets of farmers. The study also looks at factors that affect small scale irrigation. To address the objectives of the study household survey, focus group discussion, informant interview and fieldwork observation were used to collect data at community, household and individual levels. The analysis is undertaken using statistical tools such as mean, percentage values, maximum minimum, and t- test, on top of qualitative analysis. The findings of this study revealed that there is significance difference in income of crop production in irrigation user than non irrigation user households at 5% level of significance of 3.2 t-value. However the non irrigation user households compensated through higher income from off farm and nonfarm activities. There is no significance difference in annual household income between the irrigation user and non irrigation user households. This shows that the irrigatiion households are not effectively utilizing the irrigation scheme to increase their income due to various factors. The main irrigation constraints are inadequate farmers’ knowledge and experience on irrigation development, water loss through unstable canal, lack of water users’ committee that manage the irrigation scheme, water logging, and input supply and use. Key words: Livelihood, Small scale irrigation, water users’ committee, household, income