Toward a better understanding of the environmental impacts of expanding farmer-led irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: an exploratory assessment of irrigation-induced risk of nutrient water pollution in Ethiopia

Abstract Irrigation, and especially farmer-led irrigation, is considered to be a promising option for enhancing agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there lack of thorough understanding the impacts irrigation development on environment. Past discussions are mainly limited water depletion hydrological regime change effect irrigation. This paper presents study narrow knowledge gap by assessing nutrient pollution risk induced expansion Ethiopia. Using household survey data collected from four woredas Ethiopia where irrigated crop production currently concentrates, we first evaluate impact cropping intensity annual consumption level fertilizers then use findings analysis support conceptualization modeling framework at national scale. We project that overall will lead gentle increase total loadings. result helps justify endeavor promoting On other hand, projected flow loading growth rate related highly heterogeneous spatially, local quality deterioration exists. There still need make investment ensure environmental sustainability development.