Social and Organisational Constraints Affecting Farmers' Adoption Intentions of Solar‐Powered Irrigation Pumping Systems: Evidence From Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia's reliance on diesel‐powered irrigation compromises the economic viability and environmental sustainability of small‐scale irrigation because of rising fuel costs, unstable supply and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar‐powered irrigation pumps provide an energy‐efficient alternative; however, adoption among smallholder farmers remains limited. This study examines how community‐level organisational capacity and individual behavioural factors shape farmers' intentions to adopt solar‐powered irrigation systems. Drawing on collective efficacy and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the study analyses survey data from 448 farm households in drought‐prone regions of Ethiopia using covariance‐based structural equation modelling and logistic regression. Collective efficacy is a strong predictor of adoption intention, both directly and indirectly through attitudes, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms. Subjective norms show the strongest mediating effect, underscoring the role of social endorsement and peer influence in shaping adoption intentions. Education, income and farm size emerge as significant socioeconomic correlates of adoption intention. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening local institutions, such as Idir, Mahber and Debo, to support collective financing, peer learning and cooperative operation of solar irrigation systems. The study demonstrates that community‐level organisational capacity is critical for understanding renewable energy adoption in smallholder irrigation systems and offers insights for promoting sustainable, low‐emission irrigation transitions.