FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIROMENTAL STUDIES

Abstract

Livelihoods of the rural people of Ethiopia depend on agriculture which is dominated by small-scale rain-fed production whose performance is subject to, among others, irregular rainfall pattern. Small-scale irrigation is believed to help to address this problem thereby reducing rural poverty and food insecurity as well as improving the overall contribution of agriculture to the national economy. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of small scale irrigation on household food security status in Offa Woreda. Both primary and secondary data were collected and used in the study. Data were collected from 134 household heads of who 67 irrigation users and 67non-users. Three kebeles were stratified into two strata and simple random sampling technique was employed to select the sample respondents. Secondary data were collected by reviewing different documents. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and logistics regression were used for analyzing data. Household Food Balance Model (HFBM) was also used for data analyses. Result of the study revealed that 83.59% of the users and 49.26% of non-users are found to be food secure while 16.41% of users and 50.74% non-users are found to be food insecure. The finding indicated that, education level, land size, access to irrigation, health status of household heads, using fertilizer and participation in nonfarm activities has positively affecting food security at a standard error of 0.05. In contrast age of household head showed a significantly negative effect on food security status of households. River is the main water source for more than 60% user households and 93% of households were producing more than two times per year. Market accesshousehold head showed a significantly negative effect on food security status of households. River is the main water source for more than 60% user households and 93% of households were producing more than two times per year. Market access, occurrence of disease and pest and shortage of improved seed were most important challenges that the community largely faces in their irrigated agriculture. The study concluded that small-scale irrigation is one of the viable solutions to secure household food needs and diversify their diet composition in the study area. Finally, it is recommended that governmental and non-governmental organization should expand access of small scale irrigation by farm households to improve their food security. Key Word: Food security, irrigation agriculture, small scale irrigation, an