IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/snbeco/v5y2025i8d10.1007_s43546-025-00869-w.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The role of irrigation in boosting agricultural productivity in rural Burkina Faso

Author

Listed:
  • Bertin Nyamba

    (Nazi Boni University)

  • Patrice Rélouendé Zidouemba

    (Nazi Boni University)

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa has faced persistent economic challenges, further exacerbated by global food crises and dependence on rain-fed agriculture, which generally results in low yields. Expanding irrigation has been recognized as a key strategy to enhance agricultural productivity and improve rural household incomes. In Burkina Faso, where agricultural production is frequently affected by unpredictable weather conditions, hydro-agricultural developments—such as those in the Di commune—have aimed to strengthen food security and drive economic growth. This study assessed the impact of irrigation on per-hectare income for farmers in Di using an endogenous switching regression (ESR) model to correct for selection bias. The results revealed that irrigation significantly increased net income per hectare, with an average gain of approximately 1222 USD/ha. While previous studies in Sub-Saharan Africa also confirmed the positive effects of irrigation, the magnitude of this impact has varied: 176 USD/ha in Ethiopia (Hagosa et al. Ethiop J Dev Res 32:5, 2010), 220 USD/ha in Ghana (Akudugu et al. Sustainability 13:5677, 2021), and 1630 USD/ha in South Africa (Maepa et al. Water SA 40:495–502, 2014). These differences suggest that infrastructure quality, water management, and institutional support are key factors influencing irrigation outcomes. The findings underscore the need to expand farmers' access to credit, strengthen cooperative networks, and invest in sustainable irrigation infrastructure to further enhance the economic benefits of irrigation. These insights provide actionable policy recommendations for scaling irrigation initiatives and improving agricultural resilience in Burkina Faso and similar contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:5:y:2025:i:8:d:10.1007_s43546-025-00869-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s43546-025-00869-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s43546-025-00869-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s43546-025-00869-w?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James Heckman & Justin L. Tobias & Edward Vytlacil, 2001. "Four Parameters of Interest in the Evaluation of Social Programs," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 68(2), pages 210-223, October.
    2. Salvatore Di Falco & Marcella Veronesi & Mahmud Yesuf, 2011. "Does Adaptation to Climate Change Provide Food Security? A Micro-Perspective from Ethiopia," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 93(3), pages 825-842.
    3. Pierre Courtois & Julie Subervie, 2015. "Farmer Bargaining Power and Market Information Services," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 97(3), pages 953-977.
    4. repec:oup:qjecon:v:129:y:2014:i:2:p:939-993. is not listed on IDEAS
    5. The World Bank, 2022. "Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022: Correcting Course," Post-Print hal-05130118, HAL.
    6. James Heckman & Justin L. Tobias & Edward Vytlacil, 2001. "Four Parameters of Interest in the Evaluation of Social Programs," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 68(2), pages 210-223, October.
    7. Huang, Qiuqiong & Rozelle, Scott & Lohmar, Bryan & Huang, Jikun & Wang, Jinxia, 2006. "Irrigation, agricultural performance and poverty reduction in China," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 30-52, February.
    8. Ivanic, Maros & Martin, Will, 2014. "Short- and long-run impacts of food price changes on poverty," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7011, The World Bank.
    9. 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.
    10. Kilic, Talip & Palacios-López, Amparo & Goldstein, Markus, 2015. "Caught in a Productivity Trap: A Distributional Perspective on Gender Differences in Malawian Agriculture," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 416-463.
    11. Akpalu, Wisdom & Normanyo, Ametefee K., 2014. "Illegal fishing and catch potentials among small-scale fishers: application of an endogenous Switching regression model," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(2), pages 156-172, April.
    12. Alexandratos, Nikos & Bruinsma, Jelle, "undated". "World agriculture towards 2030/2050: the 2012 revision," ESA Working Papers 288998, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA).
    13. Janvry, Alain de & Sadoulet, Elisabeth, 2001. "Income Strategies Among Rural Households in Mexico: The Role of Off-farm Activities," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 467-480, March.
    14. Awudu Abdulai & Wallace Huffman, 2014. "The Adoption and Impact of Soil and Water Conservation Technology: An Endogenous Switching Regression Application," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 90(1), pages 26-43.
    15. Michael Lokshin & Zurab Sajaia, 2004. "Maximum likelihood estimation of endogenous switching regression models," Stata Journal, StataCorp LLC, vol. 4(3), pages 282-289, September.
    16. Shiferaw, Bekele & Kassie, Menale & Jaleta, Moti & Yirga, Chilot, 2014. "Adoption of improved wheat varieties and impacts on household food security in Ethiopia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 272-284.
    17. Patrice Rélouendé Zidouemba, 2021. "Does agriculture possess the strong linkages necessary to drive industrialization and poverty reduction in Burkina Faso?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 41(3), pages 911-928.
    18. World Bank, 2022. "Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 37739.
    19. James Heckman & Justin L. Tobias & Edward Vytlacil, 2001. "Four Parameters of Interest in the Evaluation of Social Programs," Southern Economic Journal, Southern Economic Association, vol. 68(2), pages 210-223, October.
    20. Douglas Gollin & David Lagakos & Michael E. Waugh, 2014. "The Agricultural Productivity Gap," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 129(2), pages 939-993.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Song, Chunxiao & Liu, Ruifeng & Oxley, Oxley & Ma, Hengyun, . "The adoption and impact of engineering-type measures to address climate change: evidence from the major grain-producing areas in China," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 62(4).
    2. Bertin Nyamba & Patrice Rélouendé Zidouemba, 2025. "Impact of large-scale irrigation on agricultural yields and farm income in Burkina Faso: evidence from the Sourou Valley," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 45(2), pages 873-884.
    3. Bairagi, Subir & Bhandari, Humnath & Kumar Das, Subrata & Mohanty, Samarendu, 2021. "Flood-tolerant rice improves climate resilience, profitability, and household consumption in Bangladesh," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    4. Bairagi, Subir & Mishra, Ashok K. & Durand-Morat, Alvaro, 2020. "Climate risk management strategies and food security: Evidence from Cambodian rice farmers," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    5. Tezera W. Meskel & Mengistu Ketema & Jema Haji & Lemma Zemedu, 2021. "Welfare Impact of Moringa Market Participation in Southern Ethiopia," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 9(3), pages 1-98, December.
    6. Hambulo Ngoma, 2018. "Does minimum tillage improve the livelihood outcomes of smallholder farmers in Zambia?," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(2), pages 381-396, April.
    7. Lassalas, Marie & Duvaleix, Sabine & Latruffe, Laure, 2021. "Stringency of environmental standards, yield, product quality and revenue: Evidence from French wheat production," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315184, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    8. Gbêtondji Melaine Armel Nonvide, 2024. "Impact of Irrigation on Food and Nutrition Security Among Rice Farmers in Benin," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 36(6), pages 1343-1371, December.
    9. Tesfaye, Wondimagegn & Tirivayi, Nyasha, 2018. "The impacts of postharvest storage innovations on food security and welfare in Ethiopia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 52-67.
    10. Federico Antonioli & Simone Severini & Mauro Vigani, 2023. "Visa for competitiveness: foreign workforce and Italian dairy farms’ performance," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 50(1), pages 115-150.
    11. Benali, Marwan & Brümmer, Bernhard & Afari-Sefa, Victor, "undated". "Small producer participation in export vegetable supply chains and poverty: evidence from different export schemes in Tanzania," GlobalFood Discussion Papers 262583, Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen, GlobalFood, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.
    12. Marie Lassalas & Sabine Duvaleix & Laure Latruffe, 2024. "The technical and economic effects of biodiversity standards on wheat production," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 51(2), pages 275-308.
    13. Armel Nonvide, Gbêtondji Melaine, 2023. "Impact of information and communication technologies on agricultural households’ welfare in Benin," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(6).
    14. Adane Hirpa Tufa & Arega D. Alene & Julius Manda & Shiferaw Feleke & Tesfamichael Wossen & M. G. Akinwale & David Chikoye & Victor Manyong, 2021. "The poverty impacts of improved soybean technologies in Malawi," Agrekon, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(3), pages 297-316, July.
    15. Akpalu, Wisdom & Zhang, Xu, 2014. "Fast-food consumption and child body mass index in China: Application of an endogenous switching regression model," WIDER Working Paper Series 139, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    16. Julius Manda & Cornelis Gardebroek & Makaiko Khonje & Arega Alene & Munyaradzi Mutenje & Menale Kassie, 2016. "Determinants of child nutritional status in the eastern province of Zambia: the role of improved maize varieties," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(1), pages 239-253, February.
    17. Amadu, Festus O. & McNamara, Paul E. & Miller, Daniel C., 2020. "Yield effects of climate-smart agriculture aid investment in southern Malawi," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    18. Sènakpon F.A. Dedehouanou & Dugassa Aichatou Ousseini & Abdoulaziz Laouali Harouna & Jabir Maimounata, 2015. "Spillovers from Off-farm Self-Employment Opportunities in Rural NIGER," Working Papers 2015/03, Maastricht School of Management.
    19. Emiliano Magrini & Mauro Vigani, 2016. "Technology adoption and the multiple dimensions of food security: the case of maize in Tanzania," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(4), pages 707-726, August.
    20. Girma Gezimu Gebre & Yuichiro Amekawa & Asmiro Abeje Fikadu & Dil Bahadur Rahut, 2023. "Do climate change adaptation strategies improve farmers’ food security in Tanzania?," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(3), pages 629-647, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:5:y:2025:i:8:d:10.1007_s43546-025-00869-w. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.