Smallholder Farmers Participation in Small-Scale Irrigation: The Case of Emba Alaje District, Tigray regional state, Ethiopia

Abstract The dependency on rain fed agriculture coupled with the erratic nature of rainfall is the major factors blamed for the poor performance of the agricultural sector of widespread food insecurity in the country. To solve this problem, use of the available water resources for irrigation development is the most promising option. This study was conducted to identify determinant factors of household’s participation in irrigation in the Emba Alaje district. In this study, multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 137 target respondents. The primary data were collected using an interview schedule and conducting focus group discussions and key informant interview. Various documents were reviewed to collect the secondary data. The probit model result indicates that participation in small-scale irrigation is positively and significantly influenced by livestock holding, total cultivated land size, and frequency of extension contact. Whereas, participation in small-scale irrigation is negatively influenced by age of the household head, distance to irrigation water and distance to farmer training center. participation in small-scale irrigation. To solve the problems and improve small-scale irrigation participation, the government, especially irrigation development office of the district should create awareness to farmers about utilization of irrigation scheme.