Abstract:
Ethiopia is mainly a rain fed agricultural country particularly arid and semi-arid parts of South omo. That's why, government initiated to introduce improved agricultural technologies mainly small-scale irrigation schemes. Despite these efforts, yet, farmers in the study area are found to be unwilling to adopt small-scale irrigation. Thus, this study investigated the socio-economic and institutional determinants of small-scale irrigation schemes, its contribution in the livelihoods and farm income improvement of smallholder farmers in south omo particularly south-Ari districts. The primary data was obtained through a questionnaire interviewed from sample of 150 respondents; 90 from irrigation user and 60 non-user households drawn proportionally from randomly selected four kebeles. Descriptive statistics and Heckman’s two-stage estimation were used to estimate determinants of small-scale irrigation participation and household income. The analysis revealed that participation in off-farm activities, supervision, face with crop loss, sex, market problem faced are important determinants for participating in small-scale irrigation schemes. Moreover, participation in irrigation, total livestock unit holding are positively and significantly associated with household total annual income. Finally, based on the results, it is vital to undertake effective measures improving households’ participation in small-scale irrigation likewise improve their total annual income. |
