SUSTAINABILITY OF FARMER-LED IRRIGATION SYSTEMS UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Farmer-led irrigation (FLI) plays a critical role in food security, livelihoods, and rural development in the Upper East Region (UER) of Ghana, and contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1,2,5,6 and 13. However, its long-term sustainability under climate change remains insufficiently understood. This study evaluates the sustainability of FLI systems in the UER, focusing on environmental, economic and social dimensions, including gender relations. A mixed methods approach was employed, combining qualitative data from 33 key informant interviews and 20 focus group discussions with quantitative cross-sectional survey data from 250 FLI practitioners. The study examined the development trend of FLI systems, effects of climate change on FLI, adaptation strategies , and the sustainability potential of different FLI systems. The findings indicate that FLI enhances agricultural productivity and livelihoods by enabling dry-season cultivation and mitigating risk associated with rainfall variability. FLI systems are transforming in response to climate stress, with increased adoption of motorised groundwater systems, despite high capital cost. Manual and gravity-fed systems exhibit lower ecological footprints. Supplementary and pump-based irrigation systems are more economically viable, while manual systems are more socially inclusive. The decomposition analyses shows that gender disparities are largely driven by unequal access to land and other resources rather than differences in returns. This suggest that targeted support could reduce the gap. The Major challenges of FLI include limited access to credit, marketing issues, and climate change effects, including increased evapotranspiration, biodiversity loss and water scarcity. The study concludes that sustainability outcomes vary across FLI systems and are shaped by technology type, water source, gender and institutional support. A sustainability pathway framework for FLI is proposed, emphasising system-specific interventions, collective organisation of irrigation practitioners, gender-responsive support, and investments in water efficient irrigation technologies through government and NGO support.