Enhancing food security through African irrigation co-operatives:

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to map and analyse the institutional and technological dynamics shaping the performance of African irrigation co-operatives. Specifically, the study (i) examines publication trends and thematic evolution in co-operative irrigation research, (ii) identifies dominant institutional and technological linkages, and (iii) proposes policy strategies to enhance co-operative resilience. Design/Methodology/Approach: A bibliometric analysis of 715 peer-reviewed publications (2020–2024) was conducted using data from the Dimensions Database. After screening for relevance and duplicates, 540 publications were selected for detailed analysis. The data were processed and visualised using VOS viewer version 1.6, which produced keyword co-occurrence maps, authorship networks, and thematic clusters to identify emerging research frontiers and institutional–technological synergies. Field-based case insights from Malawi’s Phata Co-operative were also included to contextualise bibliometric patterns and validate the analytical framework. Findings: Results indicate that irrigation co-operatives implementing participatory water governance alongside climate-adapted technologies, such as drip irrigation, IoT-enabled sensors, and mobile irrigation management tools, achieve crop yields 40–60% higher than those without such integration (p < 0.05). However, technological diffusion remains uneven: only 23% of co-operatives have adopted smart irrigation systems, and less than 30% include women in leadership roles. Gender-inclusive co-operatives demonstrate greater resilience to climate-induced shocks, highlighting the social and adaptive advantages of inclusive governance. Research Limitations: The analysis is restricted to publications indexed in the Dimensions Database from 2020 to 2024, which may exclude non-indexed regional studies and grey literature. Practical Implications: The study suggests a policy framework that combines affordable digital tools with institutional reforms, such as gender quotas in co-operative leadership, digital training programmes, and weather-indexed insurance schemes. Social Implications: The findings highlight the transformative potential of gender-inclusive irrigation co-operatives. Originality/Value: It advances both theory and policy by identifying institutional, technological synergies that can be leveraged to achieve sustainable and inclusive food security across the continent