The role of small-scale irrigation on rural smallholder food security outcomes in Wolaita Zone of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Small-scale irrigation (SSI) started earlier in Wolaita and contributed to food production. However, rural smallholders in the area are still food insecure. This research aimed to understand the role of irrigation on food security outcomes of rural smallholder farmers in Wolaita, southern Ethiopia. Previous studies focused on the role of SSI on food availability and accessibility but lacked the food utilisation and stability dimension. Therefore, this research had intended to understand the role of irrigation interventions in the improvement of rural smallholders’ food availability, accessibility, utilisation, stability, and capability. The study adopted a mixed-method research approach. Before data collection, 139 journal articles were systematically reviewed. The sample size for the quantitative household survey study was 400 participants. Forty key informants were interviewed. Furthermore, ten focus group discussions were conducted. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, multivariate regression, and multinomial regression analysis. According to the findings, SSI users have shown significantly higher mean total crop harvested (M= 96.9967) than non-users (M= 26.9680), at the p-value of 0.000. Moreover, the findings indicate that SSI users had significantly higher values for the variable "Total Livestock Unit” by sample rural households (M=3.31) compared to the group of non-users of SSI (M=2.38) at the p-value of 0.000. Furthermore, SSI users had higher mean income from annual crop production sold and from animals, animal by-products, and other non-productive asset sales than non-users. The statistical test also provided a significant difference in the household dietary diversity between SSI users (M= 8.63) and non-users (M= 4.94), with SSI users having a significantly higher mean HDDS at p<0.01. In contrast, the qualitative analysis indicates that SSI users provide adequate and quality food for children than non-users. SSI users had lower mean HHS than non-users. Moreover, SSI users (M=3.73) had significantly lower scores for the Household Coping Strategy Index variable, iv compared to non-users (M=7.88) at p<0.01. According to the multivariate regression analysis of HDDS and HHS, the independent variables that determine the rural food security outcome are total crop produced, income from crop sold, sum of purchased food groups, Total Livestock Units, and income from animal, animal by-products, and other assets. Furthermore, as of multinomial logistic regression access to irrigation, sex and education level are the common key determinants of HDDS and HHS. However, owned farmland size and family size are not common determinants of HDDS and HHS in the study area. The findings, therefore, indicate that unless intensive agriculture is implemented, it is not possible to improve the dietary diversity, reduce the hunger and enhance coping capacity of the rural smallholders in the study area. Therefore, irrigation has a significant role in the food security outcome of rural smallholders specifically in Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia, and Ethiopia. So, policymakers and development practitioners in the area should promote sustainable agricultural practices, invest in irrigation infrastructure, provide financial support, strengthen extension services, address gender inequalities and environmental challenges, foster public-private partnerships, and promote nutrition-based agricultural activities.