New Publication: Irrigation and technical efficiency in Ethiopian crop production: A meta-analysis [14.09.26]
Ehjeij, S., Hess, S., Boysen-Urban, K. und Flaig, D. (2026).
Q Open, 2026, qoag024, https://doi.org/10.1093/qopen/qoag024
Abstract:
Irrigation is widely promoted to enhance agricultural productivity and food security in Ethiopia. However, substantial heterogeneity in reported empirical findings complicates assessments of its overall impact. This study addresses this challenge through a meta-analysis incorporating irrigation use as a key study-level characteristic. It synthesizes farm-level studies from Ethiopia and examines how regional, agro-climatic, and socioeconomic factors relate to technical efficiency. Results show that irrigated farms operate at a higher production frontier but exhibit lower average technical efficiency than rainfed farms, indicating potential for efficiency gains. Subnational variation matters, with administrative regions and agro-ecological zones capturing heterogeneity. Technical efficiency is positively associated with literacy, but negatively associated with household size and the share of male-headed farms, indicating that human capital and household characteristics shape efficiency outcomes. These findings suggest that irrigation policies should go beyond expanding access and focus on improving farmers’ ability to manage inputs and adapt crop choices.
