Participation in Small-Scale Irrigation Practice: The Case of Abay Chomen District of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to identify factors that determine household’s participation in small-scale irrigation. Two-stage sampling technique was used to select 167 target respondents. Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. Double hurdle model was employed to identify the determinants of participation and intensity of participation in small-scale irrigation. The result revealed that number of oxen, market distance, farm distance from irrigation water source, market information and credit use significantly determine participation in small-scale irrigation. The analysis also indicated that age, number of oxen owned, market distance, education level, road distance and access to credit significantly determine the intensity of participation in small-scale irrigation. To solve the problems and improve small-scale irrigation participation, the government, especially irrigation development office of the district should attempt to hamper factors that hinder participation in small-scale irrigation and enhance factors that initiates participation in small-scale irrigation identified in the study area