Mapping development potential of dry-season small-scale irrigation in Sub-Saharan African countries under joint biophysical and economic constraints - An agent-based modeling approach with an application to Ethiopia

• Published in: Agricultural systems Vol. 186; p. 102987
• Main Authors: Xie, Hua, You, Liangzhi, Dile, Yihun T., Worqlul, Abeyou W., Bizimana, Jean-Claude, Srinivasan, Raghavan, Richardson, James W., Gerik, Thomas, Clark, Neville
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2021
• Subjects: agent-based modeling; Agricultural development; crop production; dry season; Ethiopia; food security; irrigation; Small-scale irrigation; Sub-Saharan Africa; Ethiopia; Agricultural development; Small-scale irrigation; agent-based modeling; Sub-Saharan Africa; Ethiopia
• ISSN: 0308-521X; 1873-2267
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102987

Sub-Saharan Africa has long been beset with food insecurity. Investment in small-scale irrigation may provide a solution to address the challenge by extending crop production into the dry season. We present an agent-based modeling system to assess the potential of dry-season small-irrigation development in Sub-Saharan Africa with an application to Ethiopia. We identify significant potential for investing in dry-season small-scale irrigation in Ethiopia and map geographic domains with highest investment opportunities. •An agent-based model is proposed to map dry-season small-scale irrigation potential.•The model considers both biophysical and economic constraints.•The model is applied to assess irrigation potential in Ethiopia.•Irrigation potential in Ethiopia about 1 million ha by 2030 is identified.