An Assessment of the Impact of Community-Based Smallholder Irrigation Development on Household Food Security in Lufwanyama District, Zambia

Nkaka Joy Lupupa, BSc

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa face persistently low agricultural productivity and household food insecurity due to reliance on rain-fed agriculture and increasing climate variability. Community-Based Smallholder Irrigation (COBSI) has been promoted as a potential solution, but evidence of its effectiveness in rural Zambia remains limited. This study assessed the impact of COBSI among smallholder farmers in Lufwanyama District by examining levels of awareness, access, and adoption, and evaluating its effects on agricultural productivity and household food security. The study employed a mixed-method, quasi-experimental cross-sectional design. Primary data were collected from 152 households using structured questionnaires, supplemented by focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Quantitative analysis involved descriptive statistics, logistic regression to identify adoption determinants, and Propensity Score Matching to estimate the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated. Household food security was measured using the Food Consumption Score (FCS) and Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). Results show that awareness of COBSI was relatively high (61.8%), but adoption was constrained by financial limitations, limited water access, and inadequate training, with perceived benefits being the strongest determinant. COBSI adopters achieved significantly higher yields of maize, beans, and vegetables. Food security outcomes were also superior among adopters, with 43.1% and 15.5% attaining HDDS scores of 5 and 6, respectively, compared to non-adopters clustered at scores 3 (37.2%) and 4 (30.9%). Positive and statistically significant ATT estimates confirmed improvements in FCS and HDDS. The study concludes that COBSI effectively enhances agricultural productivity and household food security. It recommends strengthening farmer training, improving access to affordable finance, investing in water infrastructure, and enhancing extension and peer learning to increase adoption and impact.

Keywords

COBSI irrigation, smallholder farmers, agricultural productivity, household food security, Food Consumption Score, Household Dietary Diversity Score

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 26. 4. 2026

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 3. 6. 2026
• Vedoucí: Ing. Jana Mazancová, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Ratna Chrismiari Purwestri, Ph.D.

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Magisterský studijní program:
Agri-food Systems and Rural Development