Majority of the households in Mali depend on rain-fed agriculture for their food production. However, over reliance on rain-fed agriculture limits the production output due to unreliable rainfall and drought. To mitigate this, the government of Mali has invested in rehabilitation of irrigation schemes to reduce dependence on rainfall. Through adoption of appropriate irrigation technologies and improved agronomic management practices, agricultural envisages increased productivity. This study therefore determines the effect of different irrigation systems to produce vegetables on household welfare in rural communities. The objective of the study is to investigate the improved livelihood of smallholder farmers in rural areas by using irrigation systems in vegetables production. This research was carried out in three localities corresponding to two specific climatic regions favorable for vegetable crops production in Mali (Baguineda, Kati, Koulikoro and Mopti regions). This study is guided by the production theory. The primary data was collected from 273 farmers selected proportionately from four wards (Fanafiecoura and Tieman, in Koulikoro region and Mopti and Dialango, in Mopti region) using face-to-face interviews. Secondary data was obtained through literature reviews. Descriptive statistics and benefit cost analysis (B.C. Ratio) were used for analysis. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) and Excel software were used to process and summarize the data. This study concludes that use of manual irrigation system is not economically viable in the production of potatoes, shallots and tomatoes as confirmed from a low benefit cost ratio (BCR) of less than unity. The average BCR of California, Drip, Sprinkler and Canal IP irrigation systems in the production of potatoes, shallots and tomatoes are all greater than unity (>1) implying that they lead to greater benefits as compared to costs. The government and other agricultural development stakeholders should support smallholder farmers of Mali in adopting non-manual irrigation methods of crop production, which can minimize the constraint of irrigation systems used in vegetable production for food security in Mali.

Keywords: Drought, irrigation systems, vegetables production, water management, smallholders, Mali.