Abstract:
Participation in small scale Irrigation serves as one of the strategies to enhance
production levels of small holder farmers and to improve their livelihoods on a
sustainable basis. Yet, farmers’ participation in small-scale irrigation in Ethiopia has
largely remained insignificant. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the
determinants of rural households’ participation and level of participation in small
scale irrigation in Bako Tibe District in Oromia Region. In the study, a mixed
research approach (both quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection
and analysis) were utilized. Data was gathered through interview schedule, key
informant interview, focus group discussion and personal observation tools. The study
employed multi -stage sampling technique to select 140 sample respondents from
irrigation participants and non-participant households. Secondary data were
collected using review of different documents. The double hurdle model was used to
analyze determinants of farmers’ decision to participate and level of use of small scale irrigation practice. Results of the first part of the double hurdle (probit) model
revealed that the sex of household heads, household size, the annual income of the
household, farm distance from the water source, access to extensions, and credit
services were found to significantly determine the participation decisions of farmers
in the small-scale irrigated agriculture, at different significance levels. In the second
part of the double hurdle (truncated) model indicates household size, access to own
oxen, farming experience, and access to credit services were found to significantly
determine the intensity of participation in small-scale irrigated farming, at different
significance levels. Further, the result of descriptive analysis showed that the
contribution of small scale irrigation farming serves as a strategy that improves
households’ income through both enriching diversification of crop grown and double
or triple production within a year. The study also showed that among the
opportunities of small scale irrigation which existed in the study area were:
availability of adequate river water, access to market, access to credit, access to
extension services and access to agricultural research center. Finally, Policy makers,
governmental and non-governmental actors should devise some feasible measures
towards improving small scale irrigation participation in the study area.
