This document discusses irrigation suitability in Malawi. It finds that while there is potential for irrigation, current development is inadequate given climate risks and benefits. Suitability was assessed based on factors like topography, groundwater access, proximity to water and markets. While large areas are suitable, market access is the most restrictive constraint. Expanding irrigation requires improving access to markets, credit, and promoting agricultural water management technologies, especially targeting women and youth.

1. Irrigation suitability in Malawi
Weston Anderson
Tingju Zhu
Presented by: Ephraim Nkonya
IFPRI
Lilongwe Malawi
November 4, 2014

2. Introduction
 Irrigation development is inadequate in
general for both countries, given the level
of exposure to climatic shocks and
potential benefits
 Consider constraints from both biophysical
and socioeconomic factors
 Focus on small scale irrigation
 Economic feasibility and desirability not
accessed
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3. Importance of irrigation : Crop water
deficit exists even in wet season
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
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Precipitation / Evaporation (mm)
Water Availability (million m3 )
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
0
Rainfall
Potential ET
Runoff
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Note: Limpopo River basin in Mozambique

4. Irrigated plots, rainy & dry season, Malawi
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5. Type of irrigation in Malawi – rainy season
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6. Type of irrigation – dry season (dimba)
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7. Major crops irrigated – rainy season
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8. Crops irrigated – dry (dimba) season
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9. Irrigation Suitability Criteria
Criteria Explanation
Topography (slope) Small scale irrigation (SSI) tends to occur in areas
with gentle slope
Groundwater accessibility Groundwater depth an indicator of accessibility to
its access.
Distance to perennial
surface water
Indicator of accessibility to surface water
Proximity to existing
irrigation
Indicator of access to irrigation & farmer knowledge
of AWM.
Market access Adoption of irrigation relies on markets both for
securing inputs including equipment/facility
maintenance and for selling crop products.
Surface runoff Small scale irrigation technologies, such as small
reservoirs, depend on local runoff
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10. Cut-off points for irrigation suitability
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11. Irrigation suitability – including all constraints
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Irrigation extent in Malawi
greater than
Mozambique

12. Irrigation suitability with no mkt access
constraint
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Market access is the
most constrictive
Constraint (dominant
factor)

13. Groundwater irrigation suitability using treadle
pump – with no mkt access restriction
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14. Surface water irrigation suitability with
no mkt access restriction
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15. Where is irrigation mostly suitable and
in need?
 Study in
progress that
combines
irrigation
suitability and
irrigation
requirement
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16. Drivers of adoption of irrigation
technology
Probit model type Structural Reduced
Access to rural services
Received credit 0.168***
Participate in market 0.222***
Received food aid -0.102**
Ln(distance to city, km) -0.107*** -0.095***
Rural area (cf urban) 0.590*** 0.660***
Human capital
Grow tobacco 0.092*
Ln(household head age, years) -0.167*** -0.203***
Ln(household size) 0.122*** 0.128***
Female headed household -0.112** -0.142***
Primary activity livestock 0.138*** 0.197*** Page 16
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17. Drivers of adoption of irrigation (cont’d)
Driver Structural Reduced
Level of education of household head (cf no formal
education)
Primary education -0.021 0.005
Secondary education -0.190** -0.212***
Post secondary education -0.174 -0.194
Land tenure/method of acquisition (cf customary)
Purchased 2.408*** 2.388***
Rented 2.172*** 2.155***
Granted by local leaders 2.393*** 2.400***
Other acquisition methods -1.137*** -1.076**
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18. Conclusions
 There is great potential for irrigation in Malawi
during the dry season but such potential is
grossly under-utilized
 Increasing irrigation suitability and adoption
will require:
• Aggressive promotion of agricultural water
management (AWM) technologies
• Improving access to
– markets & information
– Credit
• Target women and the youth
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