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Adoption patterns and constraints pertaining to small-scale water lifting technologies in Ghana

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  • Namara, Regassa E.
  • Hope, Lesley
  • Sarpong, Eric Owusu
  • De Fraiture, Charlotte
  • Owusu, Diana

Abstract

Irrigation is a priority development agenda item in Ghana and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a genuine endeavor to increase public and large-scale private investment in the sector. The on-going smallholder-driven private irrigation development that is largely based on water lifting technologies is not yet fully appreciated. We propose that smallholders themselves can play a significant role in achieving national irrigation development plans, provided they have access to water lifting technologies, especially small motorized pumps. We analyze adoption patterns and constraints pertaining to water lifting technologies in Ghana and suggest interventions that would enhance wider dissemination. Currently, these technologies are largely accessible only to better-off farmers. The primary factors inhibiting wider application are poorly developed supply chains, lack of access to finance, high operational and maintenance costs, high output price risks, and lack of institutional support. To realize the potential of water lifting technologies, improvements are required in the entire value chain of lift irrigation systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Namara, Regassa E. & Hope, Lesley & Sarpong, Eric Owusu & De Fraiture, Charlotte & Owusu, Diana, 2014. "Adoption patterns and constraints pertaining to small-scale water lifting technologies in Ghana," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 194-203.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:131:y:2014:i:c:p:194-203
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2013.08.023
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    1. Xie, Hua & You, Liangzhi & Dile, Yihun T. & Worqlul, Abeyou W. & Bizimana, Jean-Claude & Srinivasan, Raghavan & Richardson, James W. & Gerik, Thomas & Clark, Neville, 2021. "Mapping development potential of dry-season small-scale irrigation in Sub-Saharan African countries under joint biophysical and economic constraints - An agent-based modeling approach with an application to Ethiopia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    2. Awuni, Joseph Agebase & Du, Jianguo & Naminse, Eric Yaw, 2016. "Reducing Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa through Agricultural Development: Lessons from the Chinese Experience," Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, vol. 11(2).
    3. Abdulazeez Hudu Wudil & Muhammad Usman & Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka & Ladislav Pilař & Mortala Boye, 2022. "Reversing Years for Global Food Security: A Review of the Food Security Situation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-22, November.
    4. Balana, Bedru & Bizimana, Jean-Claude & Richardson, James W. & Lefore, Nicole & Adimassu, Zenebe & Herbst, Brian K., "undated". "Profitability and Economic Feasibility Analysis of Small Scale Irrigation Technologies in northern Ghana," 2018 Annual Meeting, February 2-6, 2018, Jacksonville, Florida 266558, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    5. de Bont, Chris & Komakech, Hans C. & Veldwisch, Gert Jan, 2019. "Neither modern nor traditional: Farmer-led irrigation development in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 15-27.
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    7. CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE)., "undated". "Gender-equitable pathways to achieving sustainable agricultural intensification," IWMI Water Policy Briefings 311127, International Water Management Institute.
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    9. Abdulai, Ibrahim Abu, 2025. "‘I feed my family but I own no land’: Understanding the complexities of women’s irrigable land access and wellbeing in northern Ghana," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    10. Teferi, Ermias Tesfaye & Assefa, Tewodros T. & Tilahun, Seifu A. & Wassie, Solomon Bizuayehu & Thi Minh, Thai & Béné, Christophe, 2024. "Bridging the gap: Analysis of systemic barriers to irrigation technology supply businesses in Ethiopia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    11. Lenin, Vera-Montenegro & Baviera-Puig, Amparo & García-Álvarez-Coque, José-María, . "Multi-Criteria Methodology: AHP and Fuzzy Logic in the Selection of Post-Harvest Technology for Smallholder Cocoa Production," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18.
    12. Michael Kossivi Tamekloe & Kenichi Matsui, 2024. "Smallholder rice and vegetable farmers’ constraints to adopt small-scale irrigation in the South Tongu District, Ghana," International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research, Malwa International Journals Publication, vol. 10(04), August.
    13. Kamrath, Carolin & Rajendran, Srinivasulu & Nenguwo, Ngoni & Afari-Sefa, Victor & Broring, Stefanie, 2018. "Adoption behavior of market traders: an analysis based on Technology Acceptance Model and Theory of Planned Behavior," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 21(6), July.
    14. Acheampong, Daniel & Balana, Bedru B. & Nimoh, Fred & Abaidoo, Robert C., 2018. "Asssesing the effectiveness and impact of agricultural water management interventions: the case of small reservoirs in northern Ghana," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 163-170.
    15. Vijaya Ramachandran, 2021. "Convergence, Development, and Energy-Intensive Infrastructure in Africa: A Review of the Evidence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-23, September.
    16. Dickson Mgangathweni Mazibuko & Hiroko Gono & Sarvesh Maskey & Hiromu Okazawa & Lameck Fiwa & Hidehiko Kikuno & Tetsu Sato, 2023. "The Sustainable Niche for Vegetable Production within the Contentious Sustainable Agriculture Discourse: Barriers, Opportunities and Future Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-25, March.
    17. Balana, Bedru B. & Mekonnen, Dawit & Haile, Beliyou & Hagos, Fitsum & Yimam, Seid & Ringler, Claudia, 2022. "Demand and supply constraints of credit in smallholder farming: Evidence from Ethiopia and Tanzania," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    18. Olduz Nourelahi & Mohammadreza Khaledian & Mohammad Kavoosi-Kalashami & Nader Pirmoradian, 2022. "Factors affecting the adoption of collective pressurized irrigation systems," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(10), pages 12367-12386, October.
    19. CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE)., "undated". "Enabling sustainable, productive smallholder farming systems through improved land and water management," IWMI Water Policy Briefings 311132, International Water Management Institute.
    20. Shalu Agrawal & Abhishek Jain, 2019. "Sustainable deployment of solar irrigation pumps: Key determinants and strategies," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 8(2), March.
    21. Hornum, Sebastian Toft & Bolwig, Simon, 2021. "A functional analysis of the role of input suppliers in an agricultural innovation system: The case of small-scale irrigation in Kenya," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    22. Lefore, N. & Giordano, Meredith & Ringler, C. & Barron, J., "undated". "Sustainable and equitable growth in farmer-led irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: what will it take?," Papers published in Journals (Open Access) H049101, International Water Management Institute.
    23. Mwangi, Joseph Kanyua & Crewett, Wibke, 2019. "The impact of irrigation on small-scale African indigenous vegetable growers’ market access in peri-urban Kenya," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 295-305.
    24. Abdulai Adams & Bedru Balana & Nicole Lefore, 2020. "Efficiency of Small-scale Irrigation Farmers in Northern Ghana: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach," Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, National Council of Applied Economic Research, vol. 14(3), pages 332-352, August.

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