SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION FARMING AND ITS EFFECTS ON RURAL LIVELIHOOD IN THE WA WEST DISTRICT OF GHANA

Abstract

Irrigation has proven to be one of the surest ways of increasing agriculture production, particularly in arid areas. Notwithstanding this, the opportunity has not been optimally utilised to better the lots of rural smallholder farmers. This study, therefore, sought to examine how irrigation systems are governed, the contribution of irrigation to livelihood enhancement and relationship between irrigation farming and migration in the Wa West District. This study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. The respondents comprise 137 irrigation farmers, 83 in Baleufili and 54 in Yeliyiri, 2 key informants from MOFA and GIDA, and two focus group discussions with the executives of the water user associations in the two study areas. The results showed irrigation is governed at both informal and formal levels; thus, the executives of water user associations and GIDA respectively. The irrigation farmers have rules and regulations including contribution towards maintenance, not farming closer to the banks of the dam that help in the governance and sustainability of the dams. Although the rules are adhered to, the farmers do not have enough financial capacity to maintain the facilities. Governance at both the informal and formal levels have not been effective. Inadequate and untimely budgetary allocation to undertake GIDA’sresponsibilities and inadequate extension personnel at MoFA are some of the constraints faced by the formal governance level. Farmers therefore do not get the requisite training, advice and supervision needed for their activities. The major source of income of respondents is farming while others engaged in other activities like pito brewing, craftsmanship, livestock rearing. The study also revealed that irrigation farming affects the livelihood of their households through the provision of food, employment and income. Despite the presence of irrigation farming, out-migration is still prominent because of the challenges like pest and disease infestation, low yield among others. The challenges irrigation facilities face makes respondents seek alternative livelihoods elsewhere. Challenges that were identified by the irrigation farmers include; no ready markets, poor pricing of produce, disease and pest infestation, poor mechanisation of dams, and no fence. Recommendations that have been proferred to assist farmers make the best out of the irrigation include; dry season farming should be promoted by making the various Water User Groups formidable by sensitising them to undertake activities that can help them access credit, dictate prices of their produce and have access to ready markets. Irrigation farmers should be given relevant information through extension services that can help them in their activities.