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Promoting ecosystem-friendly irrigation farm management practices for sustainable livelihoods in Africa: the Ghanaian experience

Author

Listed:
  • Caesar Agula

    (University for Development Studies)

  • Mamudu Abunga Akudugu

    (University for Development Studies)

  • Franklin Nantui Mabe

    (University for Development Studies)

  • Saa Dittoh

    (University for Development Studies)

Abstract

The contribution of farming to food security, nutrition, employment and poverty alleviation in Africa cannot be overemphasised. This paper analysed the effects of adopting ecosystem-based farm management practices (EBFMPs) on the livelihoods of irrigation farmers in Africa, using Ghana as a case study. The paper employed mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative techniques) for purposes of triangulation and cross validation of the issues. Data were collected using key informant interviews, focus group discussions and administration of a questionnaire to 300 households. A treatment effect model was employed to estimate the effects of adopting EBFMPs on livelihoods of farmers. Specifically, the average treatment effect (ATE) and average treatment effect on the treated (ATET) were estimated and found to be positive and significant. This means that the adoption of EBFMPs has positive and significant implications for farmers’ livelihoods. The paper therefore recommends that irrigation farmers should be educated on the importance of using ecosystem-friendly irrigation practices as this is critical for sustainable livelihood development of the poor and vulnerable, especially irrigators in Ghana who rely on the exigencies of the weather to survive. Irrigation farmers should also be educated on the functioning of irrigation landscape (in terms of water flow from up-stream area to down-stream), and how their activities and practices affect the irrigation water supply system.

Suggested Citation

  • Caesar Agula & Mamudu Abunga Akudugu & Franklin Nantui Mabe & Saa Dittoh, 2018. "Promoting ecosystem-friendly irrigation farm management practices for sustainable livelihoods in Africa: the Ghanaian experience," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 6(1), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agfoec:v:6:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1186_s40100-018-0109-1
    DOI: 10.1186/s40100-018-0109-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Akudugu, Mamudu Abunga & Nyamadi, Ben Vas & Dittoh, Saa, 2016. "Transforming smallholder agriculture in Africa through irrigation: an assessment of irrigation impact pathways in Ghana," 2016 Fifth International Conference, September 23-26, 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 249285, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    2. Zimmermann, Roukayatou & Brüntrup, Michael & Kolavalli, Shashidhara & Flaherty, Kathleen, 2009. "Agricultural policies in Sub-Saharan Africa: understanding CAADP and APRM policy processes," IDOS Studies, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), volume 48, number 48, July.
    3. Kebebe, E. & Shibru, F., 2017. "Impact of alternative livelihood interventions on household welfare: Evidence from rural Ethiopia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 67-72.
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    Cited by:

    1. Inkoom, Emmanuel Wisgtos & Dadzie, Samuel Kwesi Ndzebah & Ndebugri, Joseph, 2020. "Promoting Improved Agricultural Technologies to Increase Smallholder Farm Production Efficiency: Ghanaian Study of Cassava Farmers," International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics (IJFAEC), Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Department of Economics and Finance, vol. 8(3), July.
    2. Faruque As Sunny & Linlin Fu & Md Sadique Rahman & Zuhui Huang, 2022. "Determinants and Impact of Solar Irrigation Facility (SIF) Adoption: A Case Study in Northern Bangladesh," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-17, March.

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