Agricultural production in Ethiopia is primarily rainfed, which is characterized by its erratic and often inadequate nature. Women-headed households are more susceptible to the resulting poor agricultural production. Hence, small-scale irrigation has been considered as a solution in the country. However, research on its social and economic contribution for these households is limited. Thus, this study aimed at closing this research gap taking Kilte-Awulaelo District as a case study. The study covered a total of 205 respondents (187 individuals and one group discussion with 18 participants) from three villages. Data were obtained using semi-structured questionnaires taking changes in household income, housing improvement, resource control, access to social services, and level of community participation as major indicators. The survey indicated that there was an improvement in women-headed households' overall social and economic benefits after introducing small-scale irrigation. Small-scale irrigation significantly increased women-headed households' income from livestock and crop production by 24.3% and 68.8%, respectively. This led women-headed households to have access to control of household resources, financial independency, profit, employment opportunities, psychological well-being, and community participation. It can be concluded that small-scale irrigation agriculture played a significant role in empowering women-headed households.

中文翻译：

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埃塞俄比亚提格雷的小规模灌溉农业赋予女性户主家庭权力*

埃塞俄比亚的农业生产主要靠雨养，其特点是不稳定且往往不足。以女性为户主的家庭更容易受到由此导致的农业生产不佳的影响。因此，小规模灌溉已被视为该国的解决方案。然而，关于其对这些家庭的社会和经济贡献的研究是有限的。因此，本研究旨在缩小这一研究差距，以 Kilte-Awulaelo 区为案例研究。该研究共涉及来自三个村庄的 205 名受访者（187 个人和 18 名参与者的一次小组讨论）。数据采用半结构化问卷调查，以家庭收入变化、住房改善、资源控制、社会服务获取和社区参与水平为主要指标。调查表明，引入小规模灌溉后，女户主家庭的整体社会和经济效益有所改善。小规模灌溉使女户主家庭的牲畜和农作物生产收入分别显着增加了 24.3% 和 68.8%。这导致女性户主家庭能够控制家庭资源、财务独立、利润、就业机会、心理健康和社区参与。可以得出结论，小规模灌溉农业在赋予女性户主家庭权力方面发挥了重要作用。畜牧业和农作物生产收入分别增长 24.3% 和 68.8%。这导致女性户主家庭能够控制家庭资源、财务独立、利润、就业机会、心理健康和社区参与。可以得出结论，小规模灌溉农业在赋予女性户主家庭权力方面发挥了重要作用。畜牧业和农作物生产收入分别增长 24.3% 和 68.8%。这导致女性户主家庭能够控制家庭资源、财务独立、利润、就业机会、心理健康和社区参与。可以得出结论，小规模灌溉农业在赋予女性户主家庭权力方面发挥了重要作用。