SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION, FARM INCOME AND ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN THE BUSA COMMUNITY OF THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The worsening poverty situation in the Upper West Region of Ghana coupled with the risky nature of farming due to the joint impacts of rain-fed dependence and minimal use of irrigation in Ghana called for the need to examine small-scale irrigation usage and its effect on farmers’ income and access to essential services. The study was carried out in Busa where 300 farmers were randomly sampled. The Conditional Recursive Mixed-Processes (CRMP) was used to estimate two Probit and a multiple linear regression models. The study revealed that market information and participation as well as input cost affected farmers’ decision to use irrigation. Also, irrigation usage, market participation and price information, capital invested and institutional support had significant effects on farm income. However, occupation, farmers’ educational attainment and incomes were the significant determinants of access-to-essential services in this area. Hence, irrigation is relevant to promoting farm income in the area since its use translate into increased income. Farmers in the area would minimize production costs and risks when encouraged or motivated to initiate or participate in small-scale irrigation since such schemes are not cost and technically intensive.