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The Livelihoods Impacts of Irrigation in Western Africa: The Ghana Experience

Author

Listed:
  • Mamudu Abunga Akudugu

    (Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University for Development Studies, Tamale TL1350, Ghana)

  • Katherine Kaunza-Nu-Dem Millar

    (Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University for Development Studies, Tamale TL1350, Ghana)

  • Margaret Atosina Akuriba

    (Department of Agribusiness Management and Finance, Faculty of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, University for Development Studies, Tamale TL1882, Ghana)

Abstract

Although agriculture remains the mainstay of the African economy, it is currently going through stress because of a multitude of factors including climate change. Thus, many countries in their efforts to transform their agricultural sectors are employing climate-smart initiatives including the provision of water harvesting technologies for irrigated crop production during the dry season. This paper examines the role of irrigation in the drive towards a transformation of smallholder agriculture in Africa. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews and individual questionnaires were employed for the data collection. The data were analyzed using the regression adjustment (RA) technique. The results indicate that irrigation has significant and positive impacts on farm incomes, employment, consumption, food security and non-farm businesses, all of which are necessary conditions for a successful transformation of smallholder agriculture in Africa. The impacts of irrigation on health and environmental sustainability are mixed—the positive being the ability of irrigators to pay for improved healthcare for their families and the negatives include the outbreak of waterborne diseases associated with irrigation water. Construction of irrigation facilities causes destruction to the environment but improves provisioning ecosystem services. It is generally concluded that access to irrigation is associated with higher farm incomes, employment, consumption, food security and engagement in non-farm business activities. The key policy implication of these findings is that African governments must formulate strategic policies that will accelerate investments in the provision of irrigation facilities to better promote the agenda to transform smallholder agriculture in the continent.

Suggested Citation

  • Mamudu Abunga Akudugu & Katherine Kaunza-Nu-Dem Millar & Margaret Atosina Akuriba, 2021. "The Livelihoods Impacts of Irrigation in Western Africa: The Ghana Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:10:p:5677-:d:557400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sita Kone & Aminata Balde & Pam Zahonogo & Safietou Sanfo, 2024. "A systematic review of recent estimations of climate change impact on agriculture and adaptation strategies perspectives in Africa," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 1-26, February.
    2. Margaret Atosina Akuriba & Rein Haagsma & Nico Heerink, 2022. "Do Governance Perceptions Affect Cooperativeness? Evidence from Small-Scale Irrigation Schemes in Northern Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Bertin Nyamba & Patrice Rélouendé Zidouemba, 2025. "The role of irrigation in boosting agricultural productivity in rural Burkina Faso," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 5(8), pages 1-23, August.
    4. Tapsoba, Abdoulaye & Gérard, Françoise, 2025. "Contribution of large-scale irrigation systems to food security and economic security: Evidence from the Bagré irrigation scheme in Burkina Faso," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    5. Mateus Henrique Amaral & Lira Luz Benites Lazaro & Rosie Day & Leandro Luiz Giatti, 2025. "Harvesting Underdevelopment: Exploring the Water–Food Nexus in Brazilian Municipalities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-19, January.
    6. Chaithrashree, J. & Shivalingaiah, Y. N., 2022. "A Scale to Measure the Livelihood Security of Farmers in Kolar from Koramangala-Challagatta Valley (K.C. Valley) Project of Karnataka," Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, vol. 40(11), pages 1-15.
    7. Juliet Angom & P. K. Viswanathan, 2023. "Irrigation Technology Interventions as Potential Options to Improve Water Security in India and Africa: A Comparative Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-17, November.

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