Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Frequent droughts and dry spells, and the 2002 food crisis in Malawi renewed government's and donors' interest on irrigation in the country.As a result, there have been a number of investments to spur irrigation agriculture between 2006 and 2014.However, there is little evidence from Malawi on the national scale on whether irrigated farming translates into poverty reduction.This study, therefore, sought to establish the impact of small-scale irrigation on poverty in rural Malawi by examining poverty, crop productivity, crop income, and food security configurations of irrigation impacts.It also sought to find ways of improving the sustainability of irrigation agriculture in rural Malawi.The study used the Third Integrated Household Survey (IHS3) data of the National Statistical Office (NSO).Using Propensity Score Matching, the study found positive and significant impacts of irrigated agriculture on crop productivity, crop income, food security, and poverty reduction.Even though small-scale irrigation has statistically significant impact on poverty reduction, the impact is not overwhelmingly profound.As a consequence, there is need for the government to establish large-scale irrigation schemes along the lakes and big rivers.This should be coupled with the creation of infrastructure in transport and communication to aid distribution and marketing of the crops to be produced.The study also encourages the formation of village water committees with backstopping from Water Users Association.Formation of these committees should progressively be vii extended to areas that are bound by trust today.This would ensure sustainable water utilization, and sustainability of small-scale irrigation in general.viii
Authors: Nyirenda, Zephania Bondera, Nyirenda, Zephania Bondera
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2593663748