IMPACT OF SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION SCHEME ON HOUSEHOLDS’ CROP INCOME AND FOOD SECURITY IN SIRKA DISTRICT, ARSI ZONE, OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of participation in small scale irrigation scheme on households’ crop income and food security in Sirka district. The study employed descriptive statistics and econometric models, specifically utilizing the probit model and the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model, for the data analysis. The probit result showed that participation in small scale irrigation scheme was significantly influenced by the sex and education level of the household head, distance from the farm plot to irrigation water sources, irrigation training, access to credit, and membership in agricultural cooperative. To evaluate the unbiased impact of participation in small scale irrigation scheme on households’ crop income and food security measured by daily calorie intake, the study employed the endogenous switching regression model. According to the findings, the average crop income of farmers who participated in small scale irrigation scheme increased by Birr 9327.6, whereas the average crop income of non participant farmers would have increased by Birr 9006.3 if they had participated in small scale irrigation scheme. Similarly, farmers who participated in small scale irrigation scheme boosted their daily calorie intake by 263.25kcal, while nonparticipants would have boosted their daily calorie intake by 58.67kcal if they had participated in small scale irrigation scheme. Overall, participation in small scale irrigation scheme had a positive and significant impact on households’ crop income and food security. Therefore, investing in irrigation, promoting and expanding irrigation scheme are crucial for increasing households’ crop income and improving food security in the study area.