Summary
This study applied propensity score matching to evaluate the causal impact of small-scale irrigation on household food security in Adamitulu Jido Komoblcha district, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Using primary data from 94 irrigation users and 100 non-users collected in 2018, the analysis identified age, education, landholding, extension access and off-farm participation as positive determinants of irrigation uptake, whilst distance to water source and market distance negatively influenced participation. The findings provide evidence-grounded estimates of irrigation's contribution to household food security through improved calorie availability and crop consumption.
Regional applicability
This study's findings are context-specific to lowland Ethiopian agroecosystems with similar irrigation potential and institutional settings. The methodology and determinants of irrigation adoption may have limited direct applicability to United Kingdom conditions, which have different climate, water infrastructure, landholding patterns and market access; however, the propensity score matching approach offers a methodologically robust model for evaluating irrigation interventions in low-income agricultural settings globally.
Key measures
Calorie intake, crop harvest volume, household consumption from own production and purchased crops, determinants of irrigation adoption (age, education, land size, extension service access, off-farm activities, distance to water source, distance to market)
Outcomes reported
The study examined whether small-scale irrigation adoption improved household food security using calorie intake, crop harvest and consumption as indicators. Participation in irrigation was analysed using propensity score matching to estimate causal impact.
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