Economic evaluation of irrigation systems used in vegetable production in Koulikoro and Mopti regions, Mali

Abstract

Majority of households in Mali depend on rain-fed agriculture for their food production. Overreliance on rain-fed agriculture limits the production output due to unreliable rainfall in the country. To mitigate this, the government has invested in rehabilitation of irrigation schemes. Due to increasing problem of water shortage as a result ofclimate change, irrigation water input in vegetable production must be economically efficient. Although the Malian govemment has promoted different types of irrigation systems, it is unclear if these technologies are economically efficient and viable for vegetables production. This study determined the contribution of different irrigation systems to produce vegetables on household welfare in rural communities. The objectives of the study were to characterize the production systems and small scale irrigation technologies, to evaluate the economic efficiency of water use in the small scale irrigation systems, to determine the economic viability of the alternative small scale irrigation systems and to determine the technical efficiency of small scale vegetables production under different irrigation systems among smallholder farming households in Koulikoro and Mopti regions. This study was guided by the production theory. Primary data \\ as collected from 273 farmers selected from four wards (Fanafiecoura and Tieman, in Koulikoro region and Mopti and Dialango, in Mopti region) using face-to-face interviews. Secondary data from literature reviews was also used. Statistical analysis such as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Benefit Cost Ratio analysis and Stochastic Frontier production functions were used. This study found that the irrigation systems as used in production of the three main crops were characterized by 24% inefficiency. With respect to the vegetable production of potatoes, shallots and tomatoes, the technical efficiency scores were higher in drip irrigation (9l.68%) and sprinkling irrigation (90.56%) than in Califomian irrigation system (76.87%). This means that drip and sprinkling irrigation systems were relatively more economically efficient as compared with the Californian system. The excess benefits (compared to costs) was realized more with drip irrigation system (BCR = 2.579) with the second best being sprinkler (BCR = 2.118) and the third being California (1.890). With respect to the production of potatoes, shallots and tomatoes, technical efficiency scores were highest in drip (9l.68%) and sprinkling (90.56) and lowest in Californian (76.87) irrigation systems. This study recommends more training and capacity building to the farmers with an aim of reducing their levels of inefficiencies in production of potatoes, shallots and tomatoes. Drip, sprinkling and Califomian irrigation systems presents a good opportunity for superior technical efficiency in vegetable production and should be promoted.