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

Blanc, Elodie; Strobl, Eric

doi:10.1093/wber/lht026

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

cbn

Files in English

English PDF (666.09 KB)

338 downloads

Date

2014-10-02

ISSN

1564-698X

Published

2014-10-02

Author(s)

Blanc, Elodie

Strobl, Eric

Abstract

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.

Citation

“Blanc, Elodie; Strobl, Eric. 2014. Is Small Better?: A Comparison of the Effect of Large and Small Dams on Cropland Productivity in South Africa. World Bank Economic Review. © Oxford University Press on behalf of the World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/24197 License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGO.”