Research Article
Evaluating the Financial Viability of Irrigation and Drainage Projects Through Cost Recovery: A Case Study of Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kenya
Nickson Kenyoru Marita*
,
Emmanuel Chessum Kipkorir,
Joel Kibiiy
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-9
Received:
1 December 2025
Accepted:
22 December 2025
Published:
16 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.wjast.20260401.11
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Irrigation plays a vital role in enhancing crop production yet many public irrigation schemes continue to face persistent financial challenges that undermine their long-term performance. Sustainable operation of irrigation and drainage systems rely on effective cost recovery mechanisms that ensure sufficient revenue is generated to meet the full cost of managing, operating, and maintaining irrigation and drainage infrastructure. It is important for the scheme’s managers to understand how to make these systems sustainable by implementing effective cost recovery measures. This study evaluated the financial viability of irrigation and drainage projects through cost recovery using the Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kenya as a case study. The research applied the cost recovery ratio to assess the extent to which the scheme was able to recover the irrigation and drainage expenses. The ratio was determined by dividing the annual operation and maintenance revenue collected from farmers by the annual irrigation and drainage costs incurred in service delivery. The calculated cost recovery ratio of 0.22 showed that the operation and maintenance revenue collected from farmers covered only 22% of the irrigation and drainage costs. The low cost recovery was mainly attributed to undercharged operation and maintenance revenue which was inadequate to cover the high irrigation and drainage cost. The energy cost emerged as the largest cost component in irrigation and drainage. The study highlighted the need to review and adjust operation and maintenance charges while also integrating solar energy systems to supplement or replace the costly electrical energy to reduce the energy cost.
Abstract: Irrigation plays a vital role in enhancing crop production yet many public irrigation schemes continue to face persistent financial challenges that undermine their long-term performance. Sustainable operation of irrigation and drainage systems rely on effective cost recovery mechanisms that ensure sufficient revenue is generated to meet the full co...
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