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The impact of irrigation on nutrition, health, and gender: A review paper with insights for Africa south of the Sahara

Author

Listed:
  • Domenech, Laia
  • Ringler, Claudia

Abstract

The hypothesis underlying this review paper is that how irrigation gets deployed in SSA will be decisive not only for environmental sustainability (such as deciding remaining forest cover in the region) and poverty reduction, but also for health, nutrition, and gender outcomes in the region. The focus of this paper is on the health, nutrition, and gender linkage.

Suggested Citation

  • Domenech, Laia & Ringler, Claudia, 2013. "The impact of irrigation on nutrition, health, and gender: A review paper with insights for Africa south of the Sahara," IFPRI discussion papers 1259, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1259
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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/10568/153476
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Srinivasan, Jeena T. & Reddy, V. Ratna, 2009. "Impact of irrigation water quality on human health: A case study in India," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(11), pages 2800-2807, September.
    2. van Koppen, Barbara, 2002. "A gender performance indicator for irrigation: Concepts, tools and applications," IWMI Research Reports 44562, International Water Management Institute.
    3. von Braun, Joachim & Puetz, Detlev & Webb, Patrick, 1989. "Irrigation Technology and Commercialization of Rice in the Gambia: Effects on Income and Nutrition," Research Reports 42167, CGIAR, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    4. You, Liangzhi & Ringler, Claudia & Wood-Sichra, Ulrike & Robertson, Richard & Wood, Stanley & Zhu, Tingju & Nelson, Gerald & Guo, Zhe & Sun, Yan, 2011. "What is the irrigation potential for Africa? A combined biophysical and socioeconomic approach," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 770-782.
    5. repec:iwt:rerpts:h029556 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    2. Clarice Panyin Nyan & Gloria A. Odei Obeng‐Amoako & Joseph Clottey & Sheila Agyemang Oppong & Charles Yaw Okyere & Takyiwaa Manuh & Solomon Zena Walelign & David Sarfo Ameyaw, 2025. "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. 21(3), September.
    3. Zandile Masela & Abbyssinia Mushunje & Saul Ngarava & Amon Taruvinga & Simbarashe Tatsvarei, 2018. "Benefits of an Irrigation Scheme and Its Determinants to Surrounding Peripheral Rural Communities," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 10(6), pages 79-90.
    4. repec:iwt:jounls:h049102 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Nixon Murathi Kiratu & Eefje Aarnoudse & Martin Petrick, 2025. "Analyzing the impact of irrigation on dietary diversity: a comparison between farmer-led and public irrigation in Kenya," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 17(2), pages 493-514, April.
    6. Fabiana Natali & Giacomo Branca, 2020. "On positive externalities from irrigated agriculture and their policy implications: An overview," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 22(2), pages 1-25.
    7. Belete, Belainew & Melak, Surafel, 2018. "Impacts of Small-Scale Irrigation Technology on the Nutritional Wellbeing of Children in the Amhara National Region of Ethiopia," Ethiopian Journal of Economics, Ethiopian Economics Association, vol. 27(01), April.
    8. Kebede Manjur Gebru & Maggi Leung & Crelis Rammelt & Annelies Zoomers & Guus van Westen, 2019. "Vegetable Business and Smallholders’ Food Security: Empirical Findings from Northern Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-28, January.
    9. Benson, Todd, 2016. "Association between irrigated farming and improved nutrition in farm households in Malawi," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 54(3), January.
    10. Domènech, Laia, 2015. "Is reliable water access the solution to undernutrition? A review of the potential of irrigation to solve nutrition and gender gaps in Africa South of the Sahara," IFPRI discussion papers 1428, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    11. Suma Scaria, 2020. "Public Irrigation and Well-being of Women: A Tale of Two Villages in North-east Karnataka, India," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 14(3), pages 447-459, December.

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