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Enhancing land productivity through a better organization of irrigation cooperatives: evidence from Tigray, Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Tafesse W. Gezahegn

    (Research Center for Agri-Food Economics and Development (CREDA-UPC-IRTA)
    Mekelle University)

  • Steven Passel

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Tekeste Berhanu

    (Mekelle University)

  • Marijke D’Haese

    (Ghent University)

  • Miet Maertens

    (KU Leuven)

Abstract

Given the diverse organizational design of irrigation cooperatives (ICs) in Tigray, this study examines whether such heterogeneity matters for land productivity. While various studies assess the performance of ICs, few explicitly account for their organizational heterogeneity. Using Lewbel’s (2012) heteroskedasticity-based identification strategy to tackle endogeneity, we analyze the impact of IC organizational design on smallholders’ plot-level land productivity. Findings indicate that members of bottom-up ICs with water use regulations achieve higher productivity compared to members of top-down ICs without regulations. These findings have important implications for IC initiation and the design of regulations to enhance water resource management.

Suggested Citation

  • Tafesse W. Gezahegn & Steven Passel & Tekeste Berhanu & Marijke D’Haese & Miet Maertens, 2025. "Enhancing land productivity through a better organization of irrigation cooperatives: evidence from Tigray, Ethiopia," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 68(6), pages 2705-2727, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:68:y:2025:i:6:d:10.1007_s00181-025-02721-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-025-02721-4
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J54 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Producer Cooperatives; Labor Managed Firms
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness

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