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Is small better? A comparison of the effect of large and small dams on cropland productivity in South Africa

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  • Elodie Blanc
  • Eric Strobl

Abstract

This study estimates and compares the effects of small and large irrigation dams on cropland productivity in South Africa. To this end, a panel data set of South African river basins is constructed. The econometric analysis reveals that although large dams increase cropland productivity downstream, they have a negative effect on cropland within the vicinity. However, their existence can enhance the relatively small positive impact of local small dams. Although a cost-benefit analysis of irrigation benefits shows that small dams may be more viable than large ones, large dams can play a potentially important role within a system of both types of dams.
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Suggested Citation

  • Elodie Blanc & Eric Strobl, 2013. "Is small better? A comparison of the effect of large and small dams on cropland productivity in South Africa," Working Papers 2013-10, Department of Research, Ipag Business School.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipg:wpaper:2013-10
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Elodie Blanc & Eric Strobl, 2013. "The impact of climate change on cropland productivity: evidence from satellite based products at the river basin scale in Africa," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 117(4), pages 873-890, April.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Yan, Wenshou & Wang, Ruoxuan & Huang, Kaixing, 2025. "The Growth Tide: Quasi-Experimental Evidence on the Regional Economic Impacts of Mega-Dams," MPRA Paper 127196, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Sebastien Desbureaux & Jason Russ & Jorge Escurra & Richard Damania & Aude-Sophie Rodella & Esha Zaveri, 2019. "Salt of the Earth," World Bank Publications - Reports 33070, The World Bank Group.
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    6. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-492 is not listed on IDEAS
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    8. He, Xi, 2023. "Dams, cropland productivity, and economic development in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    9. Mettetal, Elizabeth, 2019. "Irrigation dams, water and infant mortality: Evidence from South Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 17-40.
    10. Sundar Ponnusamy, 2022. "Rainfall shocks, child mortality, and water infrastructure," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(7), pages 1317-1338, July.
    11. Russ,Jason Daniel & Zaveri,Esha Dilip & Damania,Richard & Desbureaux,Sebastien Gael & Escurra,Jorge Jose & Rodella,Aude-Sophie, 2020. "Salt of the Earth : Quantifying the Impact of Water Salinity on Global Agricultural Productivity," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9144, The World Bank.
    12. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-454 is not listed on IDEAS
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    14. Hansani, K.U.D.N. & Schuster, Lukas & Macreadie, Peter I. & Malerba, Martino E., 2025. "Nature positive farm dams," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    15. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-558 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Wan, Guanghua & Wang, Chen & Zhang, Xun & Zuo, Congming, 2024. "Income inequality effect of public utility infrastructure: Evidence from rural China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    17. Pinhati, Filipe Sampaio Casulari & Rodrigues, Lineu Neiva & Aires de Souza, Saulo, 2020. "Modelling the impact of on-farm reservoirs on dry season water availability in an agricultural catchment area of the Brazilian savannah," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    18. Blakeslee, David & Dar, Aaditya & Fishman, Ram & Malik, Samreen & Pellegrina, Heitor S. & Bagavathinathan, Karan Singh, 2023. "Irrigation and the spatial pattern of local economic development in India," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    19. Samuel Adams & Michael Martey & Charles Amoatey & Joseph Taabazuing & Richard Otoo & Emmanuel Abokyi, 2024. "An Exploratory Study of the Impact of the One-Village-One-Dam Initiative in Northern Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-17, October.
    20. Mary, Sebastien J. & Stoler, Avraham & Shafiq, Sarah & Craven, Kyle, 2023. "Dams of Malaria," 2023 Annual Meeting, July 23-25, Washington D.C. 335448, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    21. Zaveri, Esha D. & Russ, Jason & Damania, Richard, "undated". "Drenched Fields and Parched Farms: Evidence along the Extensive and Intensive Margins," 2017 Annual Meeting, July 30-August 1, Chicago, Illinois 258409, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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