The role of irrigation in boosting agricultural productivity in rural Burkina Faso

Bertin Nyamba () and Patrice Rélouendé Zidouemba ()
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Bertin Nyamba: Nazi Boni University
Patrice Rélouendé Zidouemba: Nazi Boni University

SN Business & Economics, 2025, vol. 5, issue 8, 1-23

Abstract: Abstract Sub-Saharan Africa has faced persistent economic challenges, further exacerbated by global food crises and dependence on rain-fed agriculture, which generally results in low yields. Expanding irrigation has been recognized as a key strategy to enhance agricultural productivity and improve rural household incomes. In Burkina Faso, where agricultural production is frequently affected by unpredictable weather conditions, hydro-agricultural developments—such as those in the Di commune—have aimed to strengthen food security and drive economic growth. This study assessed the impact of irrigation on per-hectare income for farmers in Di using an endogenous switching regression (ESR) model to correct for selection bias. The results revealed that irrigation significantly increased net income per hectare, with an average gain of approximately 1222 USD/ha. While previous studies in Sub-Saharan Africa also confirmed the positive effects of irrigation, the magnitude of this impact has varied: 176 USD/ha in Ethiopia (Hagosa et al. Ethiop J Dev Res 32:5, 2010), 220 USD/ha in Ghana (Akudugu et al. Sustainability 13:5677, 2021), and 1630 USD/ha in South Africa (Maepa et al. Water SA 40:495–502, 2014). These differences suggest that infrastructure quality, water management, and institutional support are key factors influencing irrigation outcomes. The findings underscore the need to expand farmers' access to credit, strengthen cooperative networks, and invest in sustainable irrigation infrastructure to further enhance the economic benefits of irrigation. These insights provide actionable policy recommendations for scaling irrigation initiatives and improving agricultural resilience in Burkina Faso and similar contexts.

Keywords: Irrigation; Agricultural yields; Endogenous switching regression; Propensity score matching (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C21 O13 Q12 Q15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s43546-025-00869-w

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