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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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  • 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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    5. 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:

    1. Anwar Hussain & Khalil Ur Rahman & Muhammad Shahid & Sajjad Haider & Quoc Bao Pham & Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh & Saad Shauket Sammen, 2022. "Investigating feasible sites for multi-purpose small dams in Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan: socioeconomic and environmental considerations," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(9), pages 10852-10875, September.
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    3. 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.
    4. 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).
    5. 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).
    6. He, Xi, 2023. "Dams, cropland productivity, and economic development in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    7. Mettetal, Elizabeth, 2019. "Irrigation dams, water and infant mortality: Evidence from South Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 17-40.
    8. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-454 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Sundar Ponnusamy, 2022. "Rainfall shocks, child mortality, and water infrastructure," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(7), pages 1317-1338, July.
    10. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-478 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-453 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. 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.
    13. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-558 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Zaveri, Esha D. & Russ, Jason & Damania, Richard, 2017. "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.
    15. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-475 is not listed on IDEAS

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