Factors Affecting Farmer’s Participation in Small-scale Irrigation Activities: Evidence from Burji Zone, Ethiopia

In response to global challenges of food insecurity in rural areas, various countries have implemented smallholder irrigation schemes. However, the specific factors that affect farmer’s participation in irrigation practices in the Burji zone, Ethiopia, remain unclear. This study sought to address this gap by examining the factors that affect farmer’s participation in irrigation practices in the region. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 317 respondents were selected as the study sample. Both primary and secondary data sources were employed, encompassing qualitative and quantitative data collection methods such as household surveys, structured questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and key informant interviews. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software. The One-sample Test indicated a significant impact of irrigation on household food security in the study area (P-value of 0.000). Independent-samples t-tests identified that food consumption score (adequate, borderline, and poor) is significantly and negatively associated with irrigation user and non-user households at a p-value of 0.000.  Moreover, the mean difference test highlighted that the food consumption score of irrigation users was lower than that of non-users, suggesting inadequate irrigation management and irrigated farm production in the study area. Probit analysis further indicated associations between various factors and small-scale irrigation participation, with variables such as access to credit, health status, receipt of food aid, age of the household head, and dependency ratio negatively influencing participation (P-value <0.05). Family size, educational level, distance from the market, and participation in non-farm activities were positive influencers. In conclusion, the study underscores the significance of small-scale irrigation in ensuring household food security, especially amid climate change, and recommends the modernization of irrigation management practices to enhance food security in the study area.