The role of small scale irrigation agriculture in the improvement of household livelihoods: the case of Hai district in Kilimanjaro region

Irrigation agriculture is an integral part of the livelihoods of the majority rural household. It provides the key basis for household annual returns through increased productivity with assurance of food security and diversification of the production. This study was undertaken in Hai District to investigate the contribution of small scale irrigation agriculture on household livelihood enhancement. The study aimed at assessing the status of small scale irrigation agriculture, examining the contribution of irrigation agriculture into household livelihood enhancement as well as exploring challenges facing small scale irrigated farmers in the study area. The study involved the collection of quantitative and qualitative information from both primary and secondary sources. 70 respondents who were randomly selected from the study area were interviewed during household survey. The study employed different data collection methods and techniques including household survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations. Descriptive and statistical data analysis techniques were employed. The data obtained during the study were analyzed by using SPSS particularly t-test analysis. The information was presented through tables, charts and graphs. Findings from the study have shown that irrigation agriculture encompasses the main part of the livelihood of small scale irrigated farmers in the study area. Irrigation agriculture led to the increase of crop yield due to the increase in application of technology and sufficient water supply throughout the year in the study area. Findings from the study also revealed that there is a significance difference in both yield of maize and beans produced from irrigated agriculture and rain fed agriculture (P<0.05). The yields of maize and beans production under rain fed are less than the same under irrigation system. It was also revealed that average income earned through irrigation agriculture was also higher than the income earned through rain fed agriculture. Food supply risks was observed to decline due to irrigation agriculture while there is substantial increase of household annual returns compared to rain fed agriculture. Furthermore, irrigation agriculture allows farmers to diversify their agricultural produces which in turn enhance their livelihoods as well as their food security. Capability of access and ownership of assets increased significantly due to the increase of incomes among farmers who were engaging in irrigation agriculture. The study concluded that, irrigation agriculture is among the major option of sustaining the livelihood of majority rural poor which has a significant contribution to poverty reduction strategies. Finally, the study recommends creation of effective and participatory mechanism to address water management problems, to provide, grants and soft loans to small scale irrigated farmers to strengthening their financial capacity to participate on irrigation agriculture as well as assuring them of reliable market for their produces.