Jiang, Ai-LingLee, Ming-ChiehAtieli, HarrysoneYan, GuiyunHsu, Kuo-lin2026-09-022026-07-13Jiang, A. L., Lee, M. C., Atieli, H., Yan, G., & Hsu, K. L. (2026). Hydrology-Based Evaluation of Irrigation and Cropping Practices in Relation to Malaria Transmission in Western Kenya.https://repository.tmu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/308Irrigation is widely linked to increased malaria vector population and transmission in rural Africa, yet it remains essential for improving food security. Balancing agricultural productivity with public health therefore requires approaches that consider malaria risk. In this study, we integrated a hydrologic model with an agent-based malaria model to evaluate the impacts of cropping practices, irrigation strategies, and human and mosquito mobility on malaria transmission in Homa Bay, Kenya. We examined scenarios with single crops (either staple or cash crops) and mixed cropping systems, alongside irrigation methods including flood, intermittent, and drip irrigation. The modelling framework captures spatiotemporal dynamics of mosquito breeding habitats driven by crop water demands and irrigation scheduling. Results show that staple crops such as rice required approximately 12% more irrigation than vegetables but were associated with 3-7% lower transmission metrics. This suggests that the timing and spatial distribution of water application are more important than total irrigation volume in determining larval habitat conditions. Combining intermittent and drip irrigation reduced malaria prevalence by 44% relative to flood irrigation, as it limited the extent and persistence of larval habitats. Water-efficient irrigation strategies also concentrated transmission into smaller areas, making targeted interventions more feasible. Under these more heterogeneous risk patterns, human movement and vector dispersal played a critical role in shaping malaria prevalence. Overall, the integrated modelling approach provides a framework for evidence based agricultural planning that meets crop water demands while reducing malaria risk.enParFlow-CLMMalaria TransmissionAgricultural practicesFood SecurityEMODIrrigationArticle