University of Mohaghegh Ardabili Water and Soil Management and Modelling 2783-2546 5 4 2025 10 23 Determinants of farmers’ use of small-scale irrigation practice in the Achewa area, Gambella, Southwestern Ethiopia Determinants of farmers’ use of small-scale irrigation practice in the Achewa area, Gambella, Southwestern Ethiopia 159 173 4049 10.22098/mmws.2025.18243.1665 FA Wasihun Mengiste PhD Scholars, Department of Soil and Water Management, College of agricultural science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia Dereje Tsegaye Associate Professor, Department of Plant science, College of agricultural science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia Samuel Dagalo Associate Professor, Department of Irrigation Engineering, Faculty of Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering, Arba-Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia Teshome Yitbareke Associate Professor, Department of Natural Resource Management, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia Journal Article 2025 09 02 Small-scale irrigation (SSI) has emerged as a vital strategy for enhancing food security, increasing agricultural productivity, and building resilience to climate change. This study examined the determinants of SSI use among farmers in the Achewa area, Gambella, Southwestern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional research design was employed, using a two-stage stratified random sampling approach to select 294 household heads (192 irrigation users and 102 non-users). Data collection involved household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Binary logistic regression analysis identified several significant factors affecting the adoption of small-scale irrigation (SSI). Notably, male-headed households were 12.85 times more likely to adopt SSI than female-headed households, underscoring a marked gender disparity in adoption patterns. Access to credit increased the likelihood of use by 2.98 times, while access to training raised it by 4.64 times. Larger livestock holdings (measured in Tropical Livestock Units) were associated with a 1.60 times higher probability of SSI use. Additionally, households with higher education levels and larger family sizes were more likely to be SSI users, with education and family size positively influencing adoption. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions to promote equitable access to training and financial resources, particularly for female-headed households. Policies should prioritize empowering marginalized groups, such as female-headed households and older farmers, to enhance the adoption of small-scale irrigation (SSI). By addressing the barriers they face, these policies can expand SSI use, improve agricultural productivity, and uplift rural livelihoods in the region. Small-scale irrigation (SSI) has emerged as a vital strategy for enhancing food security, increasing agricultural productivity, and building resilience to climate change. This study examined the determinants of SSI use among farmers in the Achewa area, Gambella, Southwestern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional research design was employed, using a two-stage stratified random sampling approach to select 294 household heads (192 irrigation users and 102 non-users). Data collection involved household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Binary logistic regression analysis identified several significant factors affecting the adoption of small-scale irrigation (SSI). Notably, male-headed households were 12.85 times more likely to adopt SSI than female-headed households, underscoring a marked gender disparity in adoption patterns. Access to credit increased the likelihood of use by 2.98 times, while access to training raised it by 4.64 times. Larger livestock holdings (measured in Tropical Livestock Units) were associated with a 1.60 times higher probability of SSI use. Additionally, households with higher education levels and larger family sizes were more likely to be SSI users, with education and family size positively influencing adoption. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions to promote equitable access to training and financial resources, particularly for female-headed households. Policies should prioritize empowering marginalized groups, such as female-headed households and older farmers, to enhance the adoption of small-scale irrigation (SSI). By addressing the barriers they face, these policies can expand SSI use, improve agricultural productivity, and uplift rural livelihoods in the region. https://mmws.uma.ac.ir/article_4049_f9c443cd43ed9e038b8eb1256f948e14.pdf