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Empowerment and Tech Adoption: Introducing the Treadle Pump Triggers Farmers’ Innovation in Eastern Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Shimelis Beyene

    (Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA)

  • Teshome H. Regassa

    (Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA)

  • Belaineh Legesse

    (School of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa P.O. Box 138, Ethiopia)

  • Martha Mamo

    (Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA)

  • Tsegaye Tadesse

    (National Drought Mitigation Center, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA)

Abstract

In 2013, thirty-eight treadle pumps (TPs) were installed as low-cost technology introduction for small-scale irrigation in eastern Ethiopia. This pilot project also trained six farmers on tube well excavation, as well as the installation and maintenance of pumps. In June 2015, researchers visited nine of the thirty-eight TP villages and found only two TPs functioning as originally installed. The rest were replaced with a new technology developed by the trained farmers. Farmers, empowered by training, gained more control in developing technology options tailored to local needs and conditions of their communities. Adopters of the new technology stated that the limited water output and high labor demand of the conventional TP did not optimally fulfil their irrigation water requirements. The new technology had spread quickly to more than one hundred households due to three key factors. First, farmers’ innovative modifications of the initial excavation technique addressed the discharge limitations of the conventional TP by excavating boreholes with wider diameter. Second, local ownership of the new technology, including skills used in well drilling and manufacturing excavation implements, made the modified irrigation technology affordable and accessible to the majority of households. Third, this innovation spread organically without any external support, confirming its sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Shimelis Beyene & Teshome H. Regassa & Belaineh Legesse & Martha Mamo & Tsegaye Tadesse, 2018. "Empowerment and Tech Adoption: Introducing the Treadle Pump Triggers Farmers’ Innovation in Eastern Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3268-:d:169529
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hagos, Fitsum & Makombe, Godswill & Namara, Regassa & Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele, 2008. "Importance of irrigated agriculture to the Ethiopian economy: capturing the direct net benefits of irrigation," IWMI Conference Proceedings 246409, International Water Management Institute.
    2. Stefan Dercon & Daniel O. Gilligan & John Hoddinott & Tassew Woldehanna, 2009. "The Impact of Agricultural Extension and Roads on Poverty and Consumption Growth in Fifteen Ethiopian Villages," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 91(4), pages 1007-1021.
    3. Kassahun Berhanu & Colin Poulton, 2014. "The Political Economy of Agricultural Extension Policy in Ethiopia: Economic Growth and Political Control," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 32(s2), pages 199-216, September.
    4. Shimelis Setegn & V. Chowdary & B. Mal & Fikadu Yohannes & Yasuyuki Kono, 2011. "Water Balance Study and Irrigation Strategies for Sustainable Management of a Tropical Ethiopian Lake: A Case Study of Lake Alemaya," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(9), pages 2081-2107, July.
    5. Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele, 2007. "Water resources and irrigation development in Ethiopia," IWMI Working Papers H040631, International Water Management Institute.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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).

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