Is Small Better? : A Comparison of the Effect of Large and Small Dams on Cropland Productivity in South Africa

Blanc, Elodie ; Strobl, Eric

Oxford University Press on behalf of the World Bank

关键词: agricultural productivity;    canal network;    catchment area;    dam engineering;    dam location;   

DOI  :  10.1093/wber/lht026

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

We estimate and compare the effects of small and large irrigation dams on cropland productivity in South Africa. To this end, we construct a panel data set of South African river basins. The econometric analysis reveals that although large dams increase cropland productivity downstream, they have a negative effect on cropland within the vicinity. However, their existence can enhance the relatively small positive impact of local small dams. Although a cost-benefit analysis of irrigation benefits shows that small dams may be more viable than large ones, large dams can play a potentially important role within a system of both types of dams.