Subsurface water quality and quantity from the standpoint of irrigation and livestock

Abstract

Field studies were undertaken at the Oyo North Agricultural Development Project (ONADEP), Shaki, Nigeria in 1988 and 1989 to evaluate the reliability and quality of subsurface water sources in relation to irrigation and livestock usage. Based on data from 22 water samples, 15 soil types, seasonal consumption of water for 10 major crops and extensive hydrogeological records, it was established that (i) alkalinity and salinity hazards are low, hence the groundwater of the study area is suitable for irrigation, (ii) excessive boron levels might restrict the usage of the groundwater of the study area for livestock, (iii) subsurface water sources, estimated at about 31,000 ML per annum is capable of satisfying only 12% of agricultural and livestock water demand of the study area, and (iv) the area under consideration is not endowed with abundant surface and subsurface water as shown by previous studies.