Effects of Irrigation Systems on Farming Practices: Evidence from Oluch-Kimira Scheme, Homa Bay County, Kenya

Abstract

Irrigation waters have vast benefits to the soils especially where they are installed. Some of the benefits of water includes: facilitating nutrient circulation within the soil profile, assist in nutrient uptake by various plants, enhance transpiration as well as enhances nutrient diffusion in the soil. But also irrigation systems have negative effects to soils mostly including environmental impacts. The current study wanted to investigate the effects of irrigation systems on farming practices in Oluch-Kimira. A survey methodology with an Ex-post facto research design was used with a sampling frame consisting of 340 small-scale farmers. A sample of 332 irrigation participants and 8 non irrigation participants were chosen for the study using random sampling. Primary data was collected through interview schedules administered to participants in irrigated agriculture and Non participants. It was revealed that before irrigation technology the level of embracing farming systems was at 3.96% (R2=0.0396) while after introduction of irrigation technologies the embracing lever increased to 55.6% (R2=0.556), a clear indication that the farming systems in the study areas improved due to presence of waters or humid environment brought about irrigation and water in general. The results also revealed that increased irrigation technologies have also improved the farming practices and eventually improved good agricultural practices.