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Economic, dietary and nutritional impacts of agricultural development projects: the case of the Lukkos irrigation project in Morocco |
Cahiers Agricultures. Volume 11, Number 1, 45-50, Janvier - Février 2002, Cultures irriguées et nutrition
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 Résumé
Article gratuit
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Author(s) : Sabah Benjelloun, Beatrice L. Rogers, Mostafa Berrada |
Summary : Two-hundred and forty households were interviewed as part of a survey which attempted to assess the impact, on various aspects of household welfare, of a large-scale irrigation project in the Lukkos region of Morocco (Ormval). Sample households were classified in six different categories: landless households, totally Ormval - irrigated farms, partially Ormval-irrigated farms, totally well irrigated farms, partially well irrigated farms, and unirrigated farms.
Both large-scale irrigation and irrigation from private wells increase the intensification, diversification, and commercialization of agriculture. Landholding size, size of genetically improved cattle, and irrigation are important determinants of net income, but large-scale irrigation is not different from private irrigation in this regard.
Per-adult-equivalent food expenditures are strikingly similar across household categories. It is clear, therefore, that households in the region - notwithstanding different types of resources with regard to land, irrigation, and wage-earning opportunities - achieve basically the same level of economic welfare, as conveyed by their total and food consumption levels. However, other indicators of economic status, such as the level of non-food consumption and the ownership of consumption assets, are higher among large landholders. In particular, modern housing and electrification are the privilege of a larger number of farms irrigated by the Lukkos project than of other households.
Calorie and protein intakes are adequate for all household categories. Three nutrients are deficient: calcium, vitamin B2, and vitamin A. Calcium intake and the consumption of dairy products are strongly and negatively affected by the commercialization of milk.
Household income positively affects household food consumption. The effect is large and significant on food expenditures but only marginal on caloric intake. That is, an increase in income is well reflected in household food expenditure but less reflected in caloric intake. Indeed, indicators of dietary quality such as animal products and fat consumption are affected positively by income. However, this effect is small, and cereal consumption is still quite high and is not diminished by increased income. The reasons for this lie in the slow change of food habits in which cereals are predominant and in infrequent food markets able to provide animal products.
Among children, the major nutritional problem is stunting (28%). This prevalence is similar in all household categories. Irrigation has no impact on child growth.
The study recommends that a program of nutrition education be designed to address the high consumption of cereals. The improvement of the regularity (more than once a week) and the access (roads and transportation means) to rural markets will help households diversify their diet. The expansion of road infrastructures would also facilitate the access to health services which, in turn, will be of a particular benefit to child's health and anthropometric status. |
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