Irrigation Practices in Farming Communities in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractWater is important in farming for crop irrigation and plant growth. Relatively high temperatures and variations for precipitation throughout the year with alternating two seasons (rainy and dry) characterize the climate in Nigeria. Northern Nigeria experiences a short rainy season and a very long dry season from October to mid-May. The dry northern savannah is appropriate for the cultivation of sorghum, millet, maize, groundnuts, cassava, yam, cotton, etc. Irrigation practice is vital for the cultivation of the crops and successful all-year-round production to achieve sustainable development goals in food security, socio-economic and rural development. This study is focused on water management practices for irrigation farming in three selected farming communities in North Central Nigeria, namely Dagbana, Angwa Hakimi, and Mutare communities. The study was conducted through observations, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions. The three communities have no access to modern irrigation systems and available borehole systems, which are far from the farmlands, are used as the source of drinking water. Irrigation is carried out through manual methods using buckets and planting on sloppy ridges, while few farmers have water pumps. The great Karshi River is the main water source in the three communities. During the dry season when the river water level is low, the communities devised different methods of ensuring constant water supply such as the use of mining wells for water storage for irrigation. The crop yield of the farmlands in Mutare and Angwa Hakimi communities is higher than that of the Dagbana community probably due to the water supply and be agriculture planning. The irrigation systems could be modernized to improve yield, save time, money, and energy.KeywordsFarmingIrrigation practicesNorthern savannahNigeria