Linkage between irrigation and health of farming communities in irrigated areas: a case study of Kivulini irrigation scheme, Mwanga district

This study focused on the linkage between irrigation and health of farming communities in irrigated areas. The main objective of the study was to investigate whether or not irrigation management and practice is taking/has taken sufficient care to contain the negative effects to the health of the farming communities in irrigated areas. One case study was selected, the Kivulini Irrigation scheme, which is located at Kiley area in Mwanga district. Four sub- villages whose farmers practice irrigation farming were included in die study. A sample of 100 respondents was selected as follows: 36 respondents for the focus group discussions; and 64 respondents for the face-to-face interviews. Thus, collection of primary data utilized face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and direct observations. Secondary data were collected through documentary review. Results from the study revealed that all the respondents included in the study were not aware of the importance and need for cleaning drainage canals. However respondents knew the importance of cleaning main, secondary and tertiary canals. Water ponding was very common at several portions of both main canals. This indicates that leveling of the fields was not properly done and therefore proper engineering design was not considered. Thus, proper drainage was/is not practiced. As the case diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis were found to be common in the study area. Therefore there is a link between irrigation and health of farming communities in the study area. The study recommends that farmers should be equipped with proper water management skills through training.