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Evaluating the pathways from small-scale irrigation to dietary diversity: evidence from Ethiopia and Tanzania

Author

Listed:
  • Simone Passarelli

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition)

  • Dawit Mekonnen

    (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI))

  • Elizabeth Bryan

    (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI))

  • Claudia Ringler

    (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI))

Abstract

Interventions that aim to increase water availability for agriculture hold great potential for improving nutrition through increasing food production, generating income, enhancing water access and sanitation and hygiene conditions, and through strengthening women’s empowerment. Yet there is scarce evidence on the linkages between small-scale irrigation and the pathways through which nutrition outcomes can be achieved. Using data from a cross-sectional household survey collected in Ethiopia and Tanzania, we explored the potential for small-scale irrigation to contribute to improved diets, and identify the pathways through which irrigation affects dietary diversity as measured by the Household Dietary Diversity Score. Unadjusted comparisons show that irrigating households in both countries produced more vegetables, fruits and cash crops, are less food insecure, have a higher value of production, and have higher production diversity and dietary diversity compared to non-irrigating households. Econometric results of a simultaneous equation (3SLS) model showed that irrigation leads to better household dietary diversity mainly through the pathway of increasing household incomes. However, these results are statistically significant only in the case of Ethiopia, and not in Tanzania. While irrigation increased production diversity in Ethiopia, the benefits of increased dietary diversity cannot be attributed to these changes in production after controlling for the effect of income. Other factors, such as gender of the household head and having off-farm income, also influence dietary diversity in Ethiopia. These findings suggest that the potential for irrigation to influence diets is highly context-specific. Understanding the particular pathways and entry points for nutrition-sensitive agriculture approaches could help to improve their benefits for nutrition.

Suggested Citation

  • Simone Passarelli & Dawit Mekonnen & Elizabeth Bryan & Claudia Ringler, 2018. "Evaluating the pathways from small-scale irrigation to dietary diversity: evidence from Ethiopia and Tanzania," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(4), pages 981-997, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:10:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s12571-018-0812-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-018-0812-5
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    2. Chanyalew Seyoum Aweke & Edward Lahiff & Jemal Yousuf Hassen, 2020. "The contribution of agriculture to household dietary diversity: evidence from smallholders in East Hararghe, Ethiopia," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(3), pages 625-636, June.
    3. Daniel A. Mekonnen & Laura Trijsburg & Thom Achterbosch & Inge D. Brouwer & Gina Kennedy & Vincent Linderhof & Ruerd Ruben & Elise F. Talsma, 2021. "Food consumption patterns, nutrient adequacy, and the food systems in Nigeria," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 9(1), pages 1-21, December.
    4. 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 applicat," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    5. Stella Nordhagen & Khadidjatou Thiam & Souleymane Sow, 2019. "The sustainability of a nutrition-sensitive agriculture intervention: a case study from urban Senegal," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(5), pages 1121-1134, October.
    6. Gloria Adobea Odei Obeng‐Amoako & Clarice Panyin Nyan & Joseph Clottey & Sheila Agyemang Oppong & Edward Kusi Asafo‐Agyei & Pacem Kotchofa & Charles Yaw Okyere & Solomon Zena Walelign & Takyiwaa Manuh, 2023. "PROTOCOL: The impact of infrastructure on low‐income consumers' nutritious diet, women's economic empowerment, and gender equality in low‐ and middle‐income countries: An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(3), September.
    7. Elizabeth Bryan & Elisabeth Garner, 2022. "Understanding the pathways to women’s empowerment in Northern Ghana and the relationship with small-scale irrigation," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(3), pages 905-920, September.
    8. Berhe, Gebremeskel Teklay & Baartman, Jantiene E.M. & Veldwisch, Gert Jan & Grum, Berhane & Ritsema, Coen J., 2022. "Irrigation development and management practices in Ethiopia: A systematic review on existing problems, sustainability issues and future directions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    9. Alessandro De Pinto & Greg Seymour & Elizabeth Bryan & Prapti Bhandari, 2020. "Women’s empowerment and farmland allocations in Bangladesh: evidence of a possible pathway to crop diversification," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(2), pages 1025-1043, November.
    10. Kedir T. Roba & Thomas P. O’Connor & Nora M. O’Brien & Chanyalew S. Aweke & Zenebe A. Kahsay & Nick Chisholm & Edward Lahiff, 2019. "Seasonal variations in household food insecurity and dietary diversity and their association with maternal and child nutritional status in rural Ethiopia," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(3), pages 651-664, June.
    11. Aloyce R. Kaliba & Anne G. Gongwe & Kizito Mazvimavi & Ashagre Yigletu, 2021. "Impact of Adopting Improved Seeds on Access to Broader Food Groups Among Small-Scale Sorghum Producers in Tanzania," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440209, January.
    12. Balana, B. B. & Mekonnen, D. & Haile, B. & Hagos, Fitsum & Yimam, S. & Ringler, C., 2022. "Demand and supply constraints of credit in smallholder farming: evidence from Ethiopia and Tanzania," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 159:106033..
    13. Chichaibelu, Bezawit Beyene & Bekchanov, Maksud & von Braun, Joachim & Torero, Maximo, 2021. "The global cost of reaching a world without hunger: Investment costs and policy action opportunities," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    14. Srijna Jha & Harald Kaechele & Marcos Lana & T.S Amjath-Babu & Stefan Sieber, 2020. "Exploring Farmers’ Perceptions of Agricultural Technologies: A Case Study from Tanzania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-21, January.
    15. Mekonnen, Dawit & Abate, Gashaw & Yimam, Seid, 2021. "Irrigation and Agricultural Transformation in Ethiopia," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315339, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    16. Romaza Khanum & Petra Schneider & Muhammad Salim Al Mahadi & Mohammad Mojibul Hoque Mozumder & Md. Mostafa Shamsuzzaman, 2022. "Does Fish Farming Improve Household Nutritional Status? Evidence from Bangladesh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-16, January.
    17. Bizimana, Jean-Claude & Derseh, Melkamu B. & Adie, Aberra & Kiker, Gregory A., 2023. "Simulated economic and nutritional impacts of irrigated fodder and crossbred cows on farm households in southern Ethiopia," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    18. Clément, Matthieu & Levasseur, Pierre & Seetahul, Suneha & Piaser, Lucie, 2021. "Does inequality have a silver lining? Municipal income inequality and obesity in Mexico," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    19. Matthew C. LaFevor & Aoife K. Pitts, 2022. "Irrigation Increases Crop Species Diversity in Low-Diversity Farm Regions of Mexico," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, June.
    20. Lefore, Nicole & Closas, Alvar & Schmitter, Petra, 2021. "Solar for all: A framework to deliver inclusive and environmentally sustainable solar irrigation for smallholder agriculture," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    21. Charles Yaw Okyere & Ama Asantewah Ahene-Codjoe, 2022. "Irrigated Agriculture and Welfare: Panel Data Evidence from Southern Ghana," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(2), pages 583-610, April.
    22. Thomas Lemma Argaw & Euan Phimister & Deborah Roberts, 2021. "From Farm to Kitchen: How Gender Affects Production Diversity and the Dietary Intake of Farm Households in Ethiopia," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(1), pages 268-292, February.
    23. 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.
    24. 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.

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