Factors for Community Participation in Surface Irrigation Schemes: Experience from Ndanda Irrigation Scheme in Masasi District, Tanzania

Abstract

Tanzania has a total of 44 million hectares suitable for agriculture. However, only 10.8 million hectares are used for cultivation producing diverse crops.  Besides, the country has an irrigation potential of 29.4 million hectares of which by 2023 only 727,280.6 hectares are under irrigation agriculture equivalent to 2.5%. In promoting community participation in irrigation agriculture through the surface irrigation scheme for increasing the production of crops, the Masasi district council initiated the Ndanda surface irrigation scheme using the participatory planning methodology of Opportunities and Obstacles to Development (O&OD). Through the O&OD process, the Ndanda surface irrigation scheme was prioritised and established in 2006, as a response to the declining productivity of rain-fed agriculture in the area. The scheme is expected to benefit 23,147 and it occupies a total area of 350 hectares. However, only 104 hectares are under cultivation through surface irrigation due to a low level of community participation. Therefore, this paper assessed factors for community participation in the surface irrigation scheme in Masasi District, taking the Ndanda surface irrigation scheme as a case. A sample of 154 participants was used (150 respondents and Four key informants). The study used a cross-sectional design that blended qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. The logistic binary regression model was used to analyze quantitative data. The qualitative data were analysed through thematic and content analysis. The findings from the study indicated that community participation in the Ndanda surface irrigation scheme was significantly associated with economic, and institutional factors and the perception of smallholder farmers on the scheme.