IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i4p1486-d1588848.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Agricultural Productivity of Solar Pump and Water Harvesting Irrigation Technologies and Their Impacts on Smallholder Farmers’ Income and Food Security: Evidence from Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Mebratu Negera

    (Department of Economics, Ambo University, Woliso P.O. Box 217, Ethiopia)

  • Zeleke Agide Dejen

    (Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia)

  • Dagmawi Melaku

    (International Water Management Institute, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 5689, Ethiopia)

  • Desalegn Tegegne

    (International Water Management Institute, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 5689, Ethiopia)

  • Muluken Elias Adamseged

    (International Water Management Institute, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 5689, Ethiopia)

  • Amare Haileslassie

    (International Water Management Institute, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 5689, Ethiopia)

Abstract

Irrigation plays a crucial role in enhancing food production, increasing land productivity, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Solar pumps and water harvesting ponds have emerged as promising technologies for sustainable agriculture for smallholders in SSA and beyond. The socio-economic impacts of these systems are less studied in the existing literature. This study examined the agricultural productivity of solar pump and water harvesting irrigation technologies and their impacts on income and food security among smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley, Lake Hawassa, and Upper Awash sub-basin areas in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 161 farming households that were selected randomly from woredas where solar pump and water harvesting pond irrigation systems had been implemented. The sample size was determined using the power calculation method. Bio-physical observation and measurements were also conducted at field levels. The benefit–cost ratio (BCR) and net water value (NWV) from the use of solar pump and water harvesting pond irrigations were analyzed to assess the viability of these systems. The household food consumption score (HFCS) and household dietary diversity score (HDDS) were calculated to measure food security, while the revenue from crop production was used to measure crop income. An endogenous switching regression model was applied to address the endogeneity nature of the adoption of the irrigation technologies. The counterfactual analysis, specifically the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT), was used to evaluate the impacts of the irrigation technologies on income and food security. Results indicate that the ATT of crop income, HFCS, and HDDS are positive and statistically significant, illustrating the role of these irrigation systems in enhancing smallholder farmers’ welfare. Moreover, smallholder farmers’ solar pump irrigation systems were found to be economically viable for few crops, with a BCR greater than 1.0 and an NWV ranging from 0.21 to 1.53 USD/m³. It was also found that bundling agricultural technologies with solar pump irrigation systems leads to enhanced agricultural outputs and welfare. The sustainable adoption and scale-up of these irrigation systems demand addressing technical and financial constraints, as well as input and output market challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Mebratu Negera & Zeleke Agide Dejen & Dagmawi Melaku & Desalegn Tegegne & Muluken Elias Adamseged & Amare Haileslassie, 2025. "Agricultural Productivity of Solar Pump and Water Harvesting Irrigation Technologies and Their Impacts on Smallholder Farmers’ Income and Food Security: Evidence from Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-32, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1486-:d:1588848
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1486/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1486/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Parvaresh Rizi, Atefeh & Ashrafzadeh, Afshin & Ramezani, Azita, 2019. "A financial comparative study of solar and regular irrigation pumps: Case studies in eastern and southern Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 1096-1103.
    2. Bizimana, J.-C. & Yalew, B. B. & Assefa, T. T. & Belay, S. A. & Degu, Y. M. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe & Reyes, M. R. & Prasad, P. V. V. & Tilahun, Seifu A., 2023. "Simulating potential impacts of solar MajiPump on the economy and nutrition of smallholder farmers in sub-humid Ethiopia," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-15(22):40.
    3. Assefa, Shibeshi & Biazin, Birhanu & Muluneh, Alemayehu & Yimer, Fantaw & Haileslassie, Amare, 2016. "Rainwater harvesting for supplemental irrigation of onions in the southern dry lands of Ethiopia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 325-334.
    4. Molden, David & Oweis, Theib & Steduto, Pasquale & Bindraban, Prem & Hanjra, Munir A. & Kijne, Jacob, 2010. "Improving agricultural water productivity: Between optimism and caution," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(4), pages 528-535, April.
    5. Schmitter, Petra & Kibret, K. S. & Lefore, Nicole & Barron, Jennie, 2018. "Suitability mapping framework for solar photovoltaic pumps for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 94:41-9457..
    6. Ihsan Ullah & Nawab Khan & Yonghong Dai & Amir Hamza, 2023. "Does Solar-Powered Irrigation System Usage Increase the Technical Efficiency of Crop Production? New Insights from Rural Areas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-16, September.
    7. Teklewold, Hailemariam & Kassie, Menale & Shiferaw, Bekele & Köhlin, Gunnar, 2013. "Cropping system diversification, conservation tillage and modern seed adoption in Ethiopia: Impacts on household income, agrochemical use and demand for labor," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 85-93.
    8. Dagmawe Menelek Asfaw, 2021. "Analysis of technical efficiency of smallholder tomato producers in Asaita district, Afar National Regional State, Ethiopia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-16, September.
    9. Qoaider, Louy & Steinbrecht, Dieter, 2010. "Photovoltaic systems: A cost competitive option to supply energy to off-grid agricultural communities in arid regions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 427-435, February.
    10. Jeetendra Prakash Aryal & Dil Bahadur Rahut & Sofina Maharjan & Olaf Erenstein, 2018. "Factors affecting the adoption of multiple climate‐smart agricultural practices in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains of India," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 42(3), pages 141-158, August.
    11. Kumar, Shalander & Ramilan, Thiagarajah & Ramarao, C.A. & Rao, Ch. Srinivasa & Whitbread, Anthony, 2016. "Farm level rainwater harvesting across different agro climatic regions of India: Assessing performance and its determinants," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 55-66.
    12. Closas, Alvar & Rap, Edwin, 2017. "Solar-based groundwater pumping for irrigation: Sustainability, policies, and limitations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 33-37.
    13. Oweis, Theib & Hachum, Ahmed, 2006. "Water harvesting and supplemental irrigation for improved water productivity of dry farming systems in West Asia and North Africa," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 80(1-3), pages 57-73, February.
    14. Batizi Serote & Salmina Mokgehle & Christian Du Plooy & Sylvester Mpandeli & Luxon Nhamo & Grany Senyolo, 2021. "Factors Influencing the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers in Arid Areas of South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-17, December.
    15. Edinam Dope Setsoafia & Wanglin Ma & Alan Renwick, 2022. "Effects of sustainable agricultural practices on farm income and food security in northern Ghana," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, December.
    16. 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).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Charmaine Samala Guno & Casper Boongaling Agaton, 2022. "Socio-Economic and Environmental Analyses of Solar Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Agricultural Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Magalhaes, M. & Ringler, C. & Verma, Shilp & Schmitter, Petra, 2022. "Accelerating rural energy access for agricultural transformation: contribution of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate cri," IWMI Reports 329154, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Deora, Shashank & Nanore, Gyanesh, 2019. "Socio economic impacts of Doha Model water harvesting structures in Jalna, Maharashtra," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 141-149.
    4. Magalhaes, M. & Ringler, C. & Verma, Shilp & Schmitter, Petra, 2021. "Accelerating rural energy access for agricultural transformation: contribution of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate cri," IWMI Books, Reports H050910, International Water Management Institute.
    5. Pourmohamad, Yavar & Alizadeh, Amin & Mousavi Baygi, Mohammad & Gebremichael, Mekonnen & Ziaei, Ali Naghi & Bannayan, Mohammad, 2019. "Optimizing cropping area by proposing a combined water-energy productivity function for Neyshabur Basin, Iran," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 131-140.
    6. Otoo, Miriam & Lefore, Nicole & Schmitter, Petra & Barron, Jennie & Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria, 2018. "Business model scenarios and suitability: smallholder solar pump-based irrigation in Ethiopia. Agricultural Water Management – Making a Business Case for Smallholders," IWMI Reports 273354, International Water Management Institute.
    7. Parvaresh Rizi, Atefeh & Ashrafzadeh, Afshin & Ramezani, Azita, 2019. "A financial comparative study of solar and regular irrigation pumps: Case studies in eastern and southern Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 1096-1103.
    8. Pereira, Luis S. & Cordery, Ian & Iacovides, Iacovos, 2012. "Improved indicators of water use performance and productivity for sustainable water conservation and saving," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 39-51.
    9. Victor O. Abegunde & Melusi Sibanda & Ajuruchukwu Obi, 2019. "Determinants of the Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices by Small-Scale Farming Households in King Cetshwayo District Municipality, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-27, December.
    10. 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).
    11. Illiassou Naroua & Abdoulkadri Laouali & Abdoulsalam Koroney, 2022. "Technical Feasibility Of Using Solar Energy In Smallscale Irrigation In Tillabéri, Niger Republic," International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research, Malwa International Journals Publication, vol. 8(6), December.
    12. Alvar-Beltrán, Jorge & Saturnin, Coulibaly & Grégoire, Baki & Camacho, Jose Luís & Dao, Abdalla & Migraine, Jean Baptiste & Marta, Anna Dalla, 2023. "Using AquaCrop as a decision-support tool for improved irrigation management in the Sahel region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    13. Ren, Dongyang & Xu, Xu & Engel, Bernard & Huang, Quanzhong & Xiong, Yunwu & Huo, Zailin & Huang, Guanhua, 2021. "A comprehensive analysis of water productivity in natural vegetation and various crops coexistent agro-ecosystems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    14. Tesfaye, Wondimagegn & Tirivayi, Nyasha, 2020. "Crop diversity, household welfare and consumption smoothing under risk: Evidence from rural Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    15. Vincenzo Franzitta & Domenico Curto & Davide Rao, 2016. "Energetic Sustainability Using Renewable Energies in the Mediterranean Sea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-16, November.
    16. Momanyi, Denis & Lagat, Prof. Job K. & Ayuya, Dr. Oscar I., 2016. "Analysis of the Marketing Behaviour of African Indigenous Leafy Vegetables among Smallholder Farmers in Nyamira County, Kenya," MPRA Paper 69202, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 27 Jan 2016.
    17. Kaur, Rajbir & Arora, VK, 2019. "Deep tillage and residue mulch effects on productivity and water and nitrogen economy of spring maize in north-west India," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 724-731.
    18. Ehsan Qasemipour & Ali Abbasi & Farhad Tarahomi, 2020. "Water-Saving Scenarios Based on Input–Output Analysis and Virtual Water Concept: A Case in Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, January.
    19. Jeetendra Prakash Aryal & Cathy R. Farnworth & Ritika Khurana & Srabashi Ray & Tek B. Sapkota & Dil Bahadur Rahut, 2020. "Does women’s participation in agricultural technology adoption decisions affect the adoption of climate‐smart agriculture? Insights from Indo‐Gangetic Plains of India," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(3), pages 973-990, August.
    20. Gonçalves, Ivo Zution & Mekonnen, Mesfin M. & Neale, Christopher M.U. & Campos, Isidro & Neale, Michael R., 2020. "Temporal and spatial variations of irrigation water use for commercial corn fields in Central Nebraska," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1486-:d:1588848. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.