Factors Influencing the Performance Of Smallholder Irrigation Schemes in Nyanza Province: A Case of South West Kano Nyando, Kenya
Abstract
Irrigation is the controlled application of water for agricultural purposes. It is
necessary when rainfall is insufficient to meet the water requirements for crops
throughout their growing period. There are over 250million ha globally under irrigation
with Nyanza province only having 7264 ha despite the fact that agriculture is the
backbone of the economy.
Irrigation practice uses different technologies and management approaches. Smallholder
irrigation is an approach to implementation of irrigation schemes where beneficiaries
initiate; manage; operate and own the irrigation scheme themselves.
This study sought to assess the factors that influence the performance of
smallholder irrigation schemes in Nyanza province with specific reference to South West
Kano irrigation project.It specifically considered water management, scheme funding,
farmers' organization, land suitability and stakeholder participation which were found to
be priority in the operation of south west Kano irrigation project.
The study used descriptive survey research design and targeted over 2998 farmers
within the 36 schemes making the South West Kano irrigation Project. Probability
sampling was used to select 10 schemes which produced a sample of 120 respondents to
participate in the study. Questionnaires, participant observation and document analysis
were used to collect data while descriptive analysis was used to analyze the collected
data.
The study found out that the water source for irrigation have not been fully
exploited thus resulting in artificial shortage for all the water uses. Farmers in the
irrigation schemes met most of their farming financial requirement by mobilizing their
own sources although there is over reliance on the government to provide development
resources. The farmers" organization in place has not been operating on their rules
resulting in laxity among its members when dealing with important scheme matters.
The study concluded that the scheme is underperforming and recommended for a
concerted effort to provide an enabling environment where the local resources land and
water can be sustain ably be used. Group bye laws should be reviewed so as to make
them enforceable.
Appropriate technology for farm operations and seed bulking should be identified so as to
bring down the cost of irrigation. Furthermore, the success of smallholder irrigation
management approach should be determined with respect to Nyanza conditions and the
different crop enterprises.
Citation
Masters thesis University of Nairobi (2009)Publisher
University of Nairobi Department of Arts
Description
Degree Of A Master Of Arts In Project Planning And Management Of The University Of
Nairobi
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5965]