Search results
1 – 10 of over 3000Junpeng Li, Wanglin Ma, Alan Renwick and Hongyun Zheng
The objective of this study is to estimate the impacts of access to irrigation on farm income, household income and income diversification.
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to estimate the impacts of access to irrigation on farm income, household income and income diversification.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs an endogenous switching regression (ESR) model to address the selection bias arising from both observed and unobserved factors and analyze cross-sectional data collected from Fujian, Henan and Sichuan provinces in China. The authors use the Simpson index to measure household income diversification. The propensity score matching (PSM) model and control function approach are also used for comparison purpose.
Findings
After controlling for the selection bias, the authors find that access to irrigation has a positive and statistically significant impact on rural incomes and diversification. The treatment effects of access to irrigation are to increase farm income, household income and income diversification by around 14, 10 and 107%, respectively. The positive effects of access to irrigation are confirmed by the estimates of the PSM model and control function approach. Further analysis reveals that the irrigation effects on rural incomes and diversification are heterogeneous between small-scale and large-scale farmers and between male-headed and female-headed households.
Practical implications
The authors’ findings suggest that the government should continue to improve irrigation infrastructure construction in rural China to promote smallholder farmers' water access and at the same time facilitate farmers' access to better agronomic and irrigation information. There exist gender and farm size related income and diversification effects of access to irrigation, and the irrigation access is associated with farm location. Thus, when developing regional irrigation programs consideration needs to be taken of whether the rural farming systems are dominated by male/female household heads and land fragmentation/consolidation issues.
Originality/value
Although a large body of literature has investigated the effects of irrigation development in rural areas, little is known about the impact of access to irrigation on income diversification. The selection bias associated with unobserved heterogeneities is usually neglected in previous studies. This study provides the first attempt by examining the impacts of access to irrigation on rural incomes and diversification, using the ESR model to address both observed and unobserved selection bias.
Details
Keywords
Desta Jatana and Azmeraw Ayehu Tesfahun
Agricultural production in Ethiopia is largely dependent on seasonal rainfall. This has made the agriculture-based economy of the country extremely vulnerable to the impacts of…
Abstract
Purpose
Agricultural production in Ethiopia is largely dependent on seasonal rainfall. This has made the agriculture-based economy of the country extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climatic change. To reduce this risk, the government has introduced strategies that promote irrigation as a key policy priority. Despite this, there has been limited empirical evidence on the impact of practicing small-scale irrigation on household income. This study was, therefore, conducted to examine the impact of access to small-scale irrigation on farm-household income in GannaBossa district, Ethiopia.
Design/methodology/approach
A multistage stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select 289 study participants. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques. Propensity score matching (PSM) and logit regression were applied to analyse the impact of irrigation utilization on farm households’ income and identify factors influencing farm households’ decisions about irrigation-utilization, respectively.
Findings
The results of the study indicated that access to irrigation has a positive and significant impact on farm-household income. Estimates of the PSM model also confirmed that the mean income of irrigating households is significantly higher than that of non-irritating households. Further analysis of the results of the regression model revealed that amongst the hypothesized predictors of irrigation utilization, family size, soil fertility status, access to credit, access to extension services and access to the market were found to be positive and significant determinants of irrigation utilization, while distance to a water source was found to be a negative and significant predictor of irrigation utilization.
Practical implications
The results of the study can inform development practitioners on how expanding access to irrigation can serve as one key driver in enhancing growth in agricultural productivity, increasing household income and contributing to the alleviation of rural poverty in areas with irregular rainfall and a high risk of drought.
Originality/value
Given the country’s irrigation potential and policy priorities, such empirical evidence informs decision-makers to make informed decisions regarding prioritizing irrigation interventions and expanding access and management in Ethiopia.
Details
Keywords
Abraham Zakaria, Shaibu Baanni Azumah, Gilbert Dagunga and Mark Appiah-Twumasi
The purpose of this study is to estimate the profitability of rice production for irrigated and rain-fed farmers; determine the factors that influence farmers' decision to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to estimate the profitability of rice production for irrigated and rain-fed farmers; determine the factors that influence farmers' decision to participate in irrigation and the impact of irrigation on rice farmers' profitability in northern Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
Using cross-sectional data collected from 543 rice farmers in northern Ghana, the study employed both non-parametric (cost benefit analysis) and parametric (endogenous switching regression) approaches to analyse the data.
Findings
The empirical results reveal a significant difference between the profits of irrigated (GHS 2442.30) and rain-fed farmers (GHS 576.20), as well as the cost-benefit ratios between irrigators (2.53) and rain-fed farmers (1.37). Also, participation in irrigation was found to be influenced by relatively small farm size and off-farm income; while profitability was influenced by membership in a farmer-based organization, access to agricultural extension services and perception of decreasing rainfall intensity. Irrigation also had a positive significant net impact on profitability of rice production.
Research limitations/implications
The results provide justification for development partners and the government of Ghana through the “one-village-one-dam” policy, to invest in irrigation in northern Ghana in order to improve household welfare as well as build resilience for sustainable production systems.
Originality/value
This study is the first of its kind to provide a robust analysis of the difference in profits of rain-fed and irrigated rice farmers while estimating the determinants of Ghanaian farmers' choice of either of the regimes within a bias-corrected framework.
Details
Keywords
Christopher Llones, Panya Mankeb, Unggoon Wongtragoon and Suneeporn Suwanmaneepong
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of social capital with bonding and bridging distinction in promoting higher participation in collective action in participatory…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of social capital with bonding and bridging distinction in promoting higher participation in collective action in participatory irrigation management.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 304 farmers was surveyed using a structured questionnaire. A focus group discussion was also carried out with randomly selected water users, leaders and irrigation officers. A confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used to test the hypothesised relationship of bonding and bridging social capital towards collective action.
Findings
The findings show that social capital has a significant direct effect on collective action and an indirect effect on joint irrigation management's perceived performance through collective action (mediator). It implies the need to complement the participatory irrigation management programme with an understanding of the social aspects for a higher farmer's participation over the shared resource.
Originality/value
The paper emphasises social capital's role in facilitating a real participatory engagement in shared resource management. Also, it is the first scholarly work linking social capital with bonding and bridging distinction towards collective action in a joint resource management context.
Details
Keywords
Water resources development plays a central role in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable economic growth in Laos. The development of irrigation is vital for the rural…
Abstract
Water resources development plays a central role in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable economic growth in Laos. The development of irrigation is vital for the rural population dependent on agricultural production, but irrigation projects have suffered from low levels of maintenance, as farmers have felt little ownership for the government projects. At the moment, a process of Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) is undertaken in Laos with the aim of transferring the management and operation of schemes to farmers. This article aims at evaluating, how IMT has been implemented in Laos and how it is affecting the sustainability of agriculture.
Samuel Kwabena Chaa Kyire, Richard Kwasi Bannor, John K.M. Kuwornu and Helena Oppong-Kyeremeh
Credit is essential in the farm business because it facilitates the adoption of productive technologies such as irrigation. However, access to credit remains a significant hurdle…
Abstract
Purpose
Credit is essential in the farm business because it facilitates the adoption of productive technologies such as irrigation. However, access to credit remains a significant hurdle for sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghanaian farmers. Therefore, the authors assessed credit utilization and the intensity of borrowing by irrigated rice farmers in the Upper East region. In addition, how extension moderates the amount borrowed was analysed.
Design/methodology/approach
The multistage sampling approach was used in the study. The Tono and Vea irrigation schemes were purposively selected. Proportionally, 318 rice farmers were sampled from the Tono irrigation scheme and 159 from the Vea irrigation scheme. Cragg's double hurdle and moderation analysis were used.
Findings
It was uncovered that gender, age, years of farming, total farm size, rice farm size, contract farming and off-farm employment explain farmers' decision to borrow. On the other hand, the intensity of borrowing was influenced by gender, age, years of farming, rice farm size, contract farming and the number of extension contact. The moderation analysis revealed that extension contact improves the amount borrowed by farmers.
Research limitations/implications
While there are irrigated rice farmers in other regions of Ghana, this study was limited to rice farmers under the Tono and Vea Irrigation schemes in the Upper East region.
Originality/value
This study investigated the moderating role of extension contact on amount borrowed in Ghana. This makes a modest addition to the limited literature on the moderating role of extension and credit access.
Details
Keywords
Zimbabwe is a small developing country that has been independent for 17 years. In its short post‐colonial history it has been attempting to grapple with lessening the imbalances…
Abstract
Zimbabwe is a small developing country that has been independent for 17 years. In its short post‐colonial history it has been attempting to grapple with lessening the imbalances on resource distribution, like land, water and other natural resources, from its colonial path. The path towards achieving “growth and equity” in the economy has not been easy. It has moved from a centrist approach to one that is governed by market forces ushered in by economic reforms that encourage deregulation of state controls. Water pricing policy and distribution are reviewed, in the light of this background. Some key issues relating to institutions, legislation, and economic theory considerations in the management of scarce water resources are discussed in the light of Zimbabwe’s experience.
Details
Keywords
Md. Abdur Rashid Sarker, Khorshed Alam and Jeff Gow
This paper aims to examine rice farmers' selection of adaptation strategies to cope with and offset the effects of climate change and the determinants of those selections in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine rice farmers' selection of adaptation strategies to cope with and offset the effects of climate change and the determinants of those selections in Rajshahi, a severely drought-prone district of Bangladesh.
Design/methodology/approach
Farm-level micro data were obtained from 550 rice growers in the 2010-2011 farming season. A multinomial logit (MNL) model was utilised to assess the determinants of adaptation strategies practised by farmers in response to climate change.
Findings
Results from the MNL model indicate that gender, age, education of household heads, household assets, annual farm income, farm size, tenure status, farmer-to-farmer extension, access to credit, access to subsidy, and access to electricity, all affect farmers' selection of adaptation strategies for climate change.
Originality/value
This is the first study of its kind to analyse the determinants of adaptation strategies for climate change by farmers in drought-prone areas of Bangladesh. This study provides direction for policy makers in order to strengthen the adaptation strategies of farmers and guide policies accordingly. These strategies have the potential to minimise the adverse effects of climate change.
Details
Keywords
Mathew Abraham and Prabhu Pingali
This paper aims to understand the significant farm and market-level factors that incentivize the adoption and marketing of pulses influencing its supply response to changing…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the significant farm and market-level factors that incentivize the adoption and marketing of pulses influencing its supply response to changing demand.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors first use a modified Nerlovian supply response model using secondary data to identify the major price and non-price factors influencing the supply of pigeon pea, black and green gram in the major pulses growing states in India. Second, using primary qualitative data the authors map the pulses value chain from farm to retail to identify the how proportional and fixed transaction costs (FCTs) influence market participation of pulses growers and limit the transmission of price and quality information.
Findings
The supply response model shows some positive influence of price on area allocation for pigeon pea and black gram and some negative effects of yield and price increase of competing crops on pigeon pea acreage. However, for the most part, the area of Kharif pulses is inelastic to prices in the long run. Irrigation, rainfall and yields in the lag year are shown to have a significant influence on area allocation for pulses. The market study reveals that low yields, low landholding size and geographical disadvantages of high agro-climatic risk and poor connectivity hinder market access of pulses farmers relative to other crops. Market power in favor of buyers and poor price and quality information is a disadvantage to sellers, influencing their ability to participate in markets.
Research limitations/implications
A quantitative study would be required to identify the magnitude of farm and market-level transaction costs.
Originality/value
This study helps to understand the supply response of pulses and gives suggestions to direct policy to rectify this.
Details
Keywords
Wahid Ullah, Takaaki Nihei, Muhammad Nafees, Rahman Zaman and Muhammad Ali
This study aims to investigate risks associated with climate change vulnerability and in response the adaptation methods used by farming communities to reduce its negative impacts…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate risks associated with climate change vulnerability and in response the adaptation methods used by farming communities to reduce its negative impacts on agriculture in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used household survey method of data collection in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, involving 116 randomly selected respondents.
Findings
Prevalent crops diseases, water scarcity, soil fertility loss and poor socio-economic conditions were main contributing factors of climate change vulnerability. The results further showed that changing crops type and cultivation pattern, improved seed varieties, planting shaded trees and the provision of excessive fertilizers are the measures adapted to improve agricultural productivity, which may reduce the climate change vulnerability at a household level.
Research limitations/implications
The major limitation of this study was the exclusion of women from the survey due to religious and cultural barriers of in Pashtun society, wherein women and men do not mingle.
Practical implications
Reducing climate change vulnerability and developing more effective adaptation techniques require assistance from the government. This help can be in the form of providing basic resources, such as access to good quality agricultural inputs, access to information and extension services on climate change adaptation and modern technologies. Consultation with other key stakeholder is also required to create awareness and to build the capacity of the locals toward reducing climate change vulnerability and facilitating timely and effective adaptation.
Originality/value
This original research work provides evidence about farm-level vulnerability, adaptation strategies and risk perceptions on dealing with climate-change-induced natural disasters in Pakistan. This paper enriches existing knowledge of climate change vulnerability and adaptation in this resource-limited country so that effective measures can be taken to reduce vulnerability of farming communities, and enhance their adaptive capability.
Details