Assessing the Impact of Small-Scale Irrigation Schemes on Household Income in Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda, Ethiopia

This study presents an empirical analysis of the impact of access to irrigation on household income level in Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda, Ethiopia. The impact of irrigation access on household income was estimated by using Hackman two step model. The results of the second stage of Hackman two step model indicated that participation in irrigation has a significant impact on annual income of the households. Moreover, the study identified the factors that affect households to participate in irrigation and household’s income level. The probit model indicated that owning irrigation land, having pumping motor and dissatisfaction with the existing irrigation schemes are key factors that influence irrigation participation. And irrigation participation, land size and livestock holding are the main factors that affect household’s income level. Therefore, it is really important to pay some serious attention to mitigate the problems prevailed in the existing irrigation schemes and to expand the potential area under irrigation so as to bring higher and more stable income of the society. Keywords: impact, irrigation access, Hackman two step model, Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda, Ethiopia