Determinants of Rural Households’ Participation and Level of Participation in Small Scale Irrigation: the Case of Selected Rural Villages in Bako Tibe Distict in Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

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.