An Examination of Micro-Irrigation Potentials on Vegetable Farms in Lesotho: A Comparative Benefit-Cost Approach

Abstract

Aims: The study evaluated the costs-benefits and socio-environmental effects of drip and sprinkler micro-irrigation technologies by small-scale vegetable farmers in Butha-Buthe and Leribe districts in Lesotho. The motivation for the study was based on the premise that Lesotho remains challenged by food insecurity despite being endowed with extensive water resources. Study Design: The study used quantitative research design which further involved the use of non-experimental survey research design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Butha-Buthe and Leribe districts of Lesotho. Methodology: A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 155 representative samples of vegetable farmers from the two districts. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain primary data on the socio-economic characteristics of the representative farmers, various impacts of the use of irrigation technologies, and the investment costs on fixed and variable costs, as well as returns, which were also obtained from a sample frame. Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) were used to evaluate the two irrigation methods. Results: Results showed that vegetable farmers in the Leribe district were more educated than their counterparts from the Butha-Buthe district. It was also revealed that the average age of the vegetable farmers in the Leribe district was 49 years. In comparison, the average age of vegetable farmers in the Butha-Buthe district was 50 years. The results of the comparative cost-benefit analysis concluded that the drip irrigation system is more viable than the sprinkler irrigation method. Results of the Cost-Benefit Ratio of drip irrigation was 2.2 compared to 1.9 for sprinkler irrigation. The drip irrigation method yielded the highest NPV of M426, 961.93 in, while the sprinkler system provided a larger IRR of 63.8%. The two micro-irrigation systems studied passed the capital investment evaluation selection criteria, with both having a positive NPV and IRR. Conclusion: Findings from the study showed that micro-irrigation usage resulted in increased productivity among the vegetable farmers.