Linking institutions and neighborhood communities with irrigation; A theoretical framework for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

In this paper, effort has been made to link human resources in three institutions and their neighborhood communities with irrigation, for sustainable agriculture. Damming the Otamiri River in Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and linking with the Polytechnics in Umuagwo and Nekede, and their neighborhood communities for on-demand irrigation is a sustainable development program. The present system of rain-fed subsistence farming neither satisfies the teaching and research needs of these institutions, nor the food supply needs of the communities. Students and staff of agriculture and agricultural technology in the three institutions numbering over 4000 will provide the expertise and workforce. Nekede, Ihiagwa, Obinze, Eziobodo, Emeabiam, and Umuagwo being the major neighborhood communities, have over 5000 ha of arable land. Of the 120,000 estimated human populations of the neighborhood communities, more than half are peasant farmers who will complement the program workforce.This theoretical framework is practicable; it will support research in soil decontamination, student on-campus job, student enrolment in agricultural studies, and poverty alleviation. By this framework, the soil, food production processes, and the Otamiri River watershed will be under pollution control. Key words: Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), polytechnics, communities, Otamiri River, dam, sustainable development.