Smart Irrigation Systems for Ethiopian Coffee Farmers: Economic Returns and Satisfaction Analysis

The Ethiopian coffee sector is pivotal to local economies in mountainous regions where climate variability affects crop yields and farmer livelihoods. A mixed-method approach combining cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and structured surveys was employed to gather data from a representative sample of coffee-growing communities in Ethiopia's mountainous regions. Smart irrigation systems showed an average annual return on investment of $1,200 per hectare over five years, with farmer satisfaction scores ranging between 75% and 85%. The smart irrigation systems not only improved water efficiency but also enhanced coffee quality, contributing to increased yields and farmer well-being. Government agencies should support the adoption of smart irrigation technologies by providing subsidies or financing for farmers in targeted regions. Smart Irrigation Systems, Ethiopian Coffee Farmers, Economic Returns, Satisfaction Analysis The maintenance outcome was modelled as $Y_{it}=\beta_0+\beta_1X_{it}+u_i+\varepsilon_{it}$, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.