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

Blanc, Elodie ; Strobl, Eric

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION;    AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY;    AGRICULTURAL WATER;    BASIN;    BASIN BOUNDARIES;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-6567
RP-ID  :  WPS6567

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

This study estimates and compares theeffects of small and large irrigation dams on croplandproductivity in South Africa. To this end, a panel data setof South African river basins is constructed. Theeconometric analysis reveals that although large damsincrease cropland productivity downstream, they have anegative effect on cropland within the vicinity. However,their existence can enhance the relatively small positiveimpact of local small dams. Although a cost-benefit analysisof irrigation benefits shows that small dams may be moreviable than large ones, large dams can play a potentiallyimportant role within a system of both types of dams.