Farmer-Led Irrigation Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for Household Income, Asset Creation and Food Availability

This systematic review examines the potential impact of farmer-led irrigation development on the socioeconomic welfare of farming households in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study reviewed literature on the implications of farmer-led irrigation development on household income, asset creation and food availability. A systematic search across six electronic databases (SCOPUS, AGRIS, AJOL, PROQUEST, INGENTA and Science Direct) and snowballing identified 502 records after removing duplicates. Twenty-two peer-reviewed publications published after 2011 were selected for thematic analysis after being screened and subjected to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Farmer-led irrigation development significantly increases annual household income. These income gains drive asset creation (motorised pumps, livestock and modern housing) and improve food availability. This review, however, revealed that benefits associated with farmer-led irrigation development are uneven across sociodemographic levels. Adult men tend to realise higher returns compared to women and the youth. In addition, women-led households face persistent barriers (education, income) to converting revenue into improved food availability and dietary diversity. The findings of this review suggest that policymakers in Sub-Saharan Africa should develop policies and interventions that address systemic exclusion in farmer-led irrigation. Interventions require gender-inclusive training and support to ensure women and youth can capitalise on productivity gains.