THE ROLES OF SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION TO SMALL HOLDER FARMERS DIETARY DIVERSIFICATION THE CASE OF GONDAR ZURIA DISTRICT, CENTRAL GONDAR ZONE OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The Roles of Small-Scale Irrigation to Smallholder Farmers‟ Dietary Diversification: The Case of Gondar Zuria District, Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia The subsistence rain-fed agriculture is the base of Ethiopian economy and a mainstay means of smallholder farmers’ livelihood. The variability of rainfall in Ethiopia is a continuous challenge. Hence, small-scale irrigation enables to improve the production and productivity of agriculture and enhance the dietary diversity. Smallholder farmers have been encouraged practicing small-scale Irrigation to support their rain-fed agriculture. However, there is limited information on role of small-scale irrigation to the dietary diversity status. Therefore, this study examined the status of household dietary diversity and validates the role of small-scale irrigation on household dietary diversity in the Gondar Zuria district. A cross-sectional survey was done and a multistage stage sampling procedure was used to select 185 households for primary data collection using household interview schedule. Also, relevant published and unpublished documents were reviewed to collect secondary information. The descriptive results of the study revealed that 7.6, 51.9 and 40.5% of households have low, medium and high dietary diversity, respectively. The inferential statistics results also indicated that small-scale irrigation help irrigated households to consume more tuber and root crops, vegetables, egg, milk and milk product food groups compared with non-irrigated households. Moreover, the finding