DETERMINANTS OF SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION USE BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS: THE CASE OF CHEHA WOREDA, GURAGE ZONE, SNNPRS.

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture is one of the critical components of food production, which has contributed significantly to maintaining world food security and to the reduction of rural poverty. Livelihood of the rural people of Ethiopia depends on agriculture. However, erratic nature of rain and prevalence of drought in the country make agricultural production a challenge. In order to combat such problems, currently the Ethiopian government is working on irrigation development by giving special emphasis .The aim of this study was to identify determinants of Small-scale irrigation use by small holder farmers, in Cheha Woreda, Gurage Zone SNNPRS. A total of 172 farmers were randomly selected and interviewed by using close ended interview schedule and focus group discussion was used to get further information on the issue. Various documents were also reviewed to collect secondary data. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics (chi-square and independent t-test) and econometric model analysis were used to analyze quantitative data. As the binary logistic regression model result indicates, six variables were found to be significant namely household size (labor), access to agricultural inputs and age of household heads had significant and positive effect on the use of small-scale irrigation at 5% probability level. Similarly, availability of water nearest to farm land and access to credit services had significant and positive effect on the use of small-scale irrigation at 10% probability level while, sex of household heads (being female), had significant and negative effect on the use of small-scale irrigation at 10% significance level. Governmental and non-governmental organizations should give emphasis on provision of training to create awareness and skills about irrigation technologies and increases their access to use irrigation water in the study area. They also should give emphasis on intensifying agricultural production in order to enhance the productivity of limited land. Therefore, to alleviate these problems and improve small-scale irrigation utilization, woreda (district) agricultural and rural development office and other concerned bodies should attempt to address those factors that hinder small-scale irrigation utilization in the study area.