Irrigation Schemes Research Articles

Infant and young child feeding practice among mothers-child pair in irrigated and non-irrigated areas of Dangila district, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020: a community based comparative cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe issue of Infant and Young Child Feeding practices was widespread; it was estimated that infants were not exclusively breastfed in the first six months of life. Complementary foods were frequently provided too soon or too late, and they were often nutritionally deficient. Even, there are nutrition-sensitive activities like irrigation schemes, evidence on infant and young child feeding practices between irrigated and non-irrigated areas is scarce or limited.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of infant and young child feeding practices among 0–23 months of age children in irrigated and non-irrigated areas of Dangila District, North-west Ethiopia, 2020.MethodsA community based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from Dec 1, 2020, to Jun 1, 2020. A stratified sampling technique was implemented to select 823 mothers with children age 0–23 months from irrigated (411) and non-irrigated (412) kebeles. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors of infant and young child feeding practice. Adjusted odds ratios with a 95% CI were used to determine the degree of association between the independent and outcome variables. A p-value < 0.05 was used as a cutoff point to declare statistically significant variables with the outcome variable.ResultsAmong 823 households visited, 802 respondents with a response rate of 97.8% in irrigated and 96.11% in non-irrigated areas gave complete responses. The overall prevalence of good IYCF practice was 62.5% (95% CI: 34.2, 41.3), and it shows a significant difference between irrigated (72.2%) and non-irrigated areas (52.8%). Moreover, the study identified that education primary and above (AOR = 1.889, 95% CI: 1.38, 2.648) knowledge above mean (AOR = 2.347, 95% CI: 1.555, 3.542), positive attitude (AOR = 1.716, 95% CI: 1.139, 2.587), PNC follow-up (AOR = 1.606, 95% CI: 1.154, 2.360), women’s decision-making power (AOR = 1.840, 95% CI: 1.226, 2.763), and multiple delivery (AOR = 0.352, 95% CI: 0.213, 0.583) were significant factors for IYCF among 0–23 month-old children.Conclusion and recommendationsThe infant and young child feeding practice among 0–23 month-old children was better in an irrigated area than in a non-irrigated area. Promoting irrigation practices, empowering women, and strengthening postnatal care are recommended interventions to increase infant, young, and child feeding practices in the study area.

Physico-chemical characterisation of irrigation basin waters and inventory study of their algal communities.

To cope with the water shortage in Sous Massa region of Morocco, agricultural producers in the region have resorted to different types of water supply basins, known as "irrigation basins" but the phenomenon of eutrophication has hindered the continuity of agricultural productivity by altering the quality of the water used for irrigation on the one hand, and causing economic damage to agricultural producers due to the clogging of the water pumping network on the other. We began by characterising the physico-chemical quality of the water to determine the causes of its high nutrient content, then we determined the taxonomy of the algal species in the irrigation basins to which we had access. A qualitative study of the water in the irrigation basins in order to better explain the inventory obtained from the taxonomic identification of the algal biomass collected, which proved the existence of new species, not previously identified, characterising the freshwaters of the Moroccan region, is under the scope of this work. The species studied belong mainly to the following groups: green algae (11 genera of Chlorophyta and 7 genera of Charophyta), blue algae (7 genera of Cyanobacteria), brown algae (7 genera of Diatoms), and one genus of Euglenophyta.

Determinants of farmers’ willingness to pay for irrigation improvements in Northcentral Ethiopia

Investing in agricultural water management by improving irrigation schemes helps to establish climate-resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, thus contributing to sustainable poverty reduction. The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for irrigation water improvements in Northcentral Ethiopia. Primary data collected from a random sample of 132 households were analyzed using the double-bounded contingent valuation method and binary logit regression model to identify what determines farmers’ WTP for irrigation improvement. The findings show that farmers’ mean WTP for irrigation water improvements is 141.60 Birr/ha/year (2.50 USD/ha/year). The results of bivariate Probit model revealed that crop type, education, relative location to the irrigation scheme, irrigated plot size, and perceived drought risk statistically and positively determine farmers’ WTP for irrigation water improvement. These findings offer valuable policy implications on how best to guide practical agricaltural water management. Policy interventions aimed at enhancing farmers' behavior, awareness, and perception of drought-related issues, while also promoting cash crop production, are likely to drive more farmers towards a positive WTP for irrigation water improvement.

Optimizing Irrigation Efficiency using Deep Reinforcement Learning in the Field

Agricultural irrigation is a significant contributor to freshwater consumption. However, the current irrigation systems used in the field are not efficient. They rely mainly on soil moisture sensors and the experience of growers, but do not account for future soil moisture loss. Predicting soil moisture loss is challenging because it is influenced by numerous factors, including soil texture, weather conditions, and plant characteristics. This paper proposes a solution to improve irrigation efficiency, which is called DRLIC . DRLIC is a sophisticated irrigation system that uses deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to optimize its performance. The system employs a neural network, known as the DRL control agent, which learns an optimal control policy that considers both the current soil moisture measurement and the future soil moisture loss. We introduce an irrigation reward function that enables our control agent to learn from previous experiences. However, there may be instances where the output of our DRL control agent is unsafe, such as irrigating too much or too little water. To avoid damaging the health of the plants, we implement a safety mechanism that employs a soil moisture predictor to estimate the performance of each action. If the predicted outcome is deemed unsafe, we perform a relatively conservative action instead. To demonstrate the real-world application of our approach, we develop an irrigation system that comprises sprinklers, sensing and control nodes, and a wireless network. We evaluate the performance of DRLIC by deploying it in a testbed consisting of six almond trees. During a 15-day in-field experiment, we compare the water consumption of DRLIC with a widely-used irrigation scheme. Our results indicate that DRLIC outperforms the traditional irrigation method by achieving water savings of up to 9.52%.

Effect of nutrition management and irrigation methods and schedule on productivity, economics and water-use efficiency in soybean (Glycine max) chickpea (Cicer arietinum) cropping sequence in alluvial soil

A field experiment was conducted during 2011–12 and 2012–13 at Morena, Madhya Pradesh, to study the ef fect of nutrition management, and methods and scheduling of irrigation on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cropping sequence. An irrigation at 0.6 irrigation water:cumulative pan evaporation (IW:CPE) ratio resulted in significantly higher growth, yield attributes, seed yield, economic benefits and water pro ductivity of soybean compared with 0.4 and 0.8 IW:CPE. Similarly, an irrigation at 0.4 IW:CPE ratio significantly in fluenced the yield-attributing characters, seed and straw yields, economic benefits and water productivity of chickpea compared with 0.6 and 0.8 IW:CPE ratios, whereas height and number of branches increased with in creasing IW:CPE ratio. Sprinkler irrigation resulted in significantly higher growth and yield attributes, seed and straw yields, economic benefits and water productivity of both the crops. The irrigation at 0.6 IW:CPE ratio showed 51.3% and 39.0% higher seed of soybean over 0.4 and 0.8 IW:CPE ratio, whereas 0.4 IW:CPE of irrigation yielded 14.5% and 32.5% higher seed of chickpea compared with 0.6 and 0.8 IW:CPE. Mean response of sprinkler irriga tion was recorded 8.3% in soybean and 11.7% in chickpea higher seed yield over check basin irrigation. Likewise, increases in growth and yield attributes, seed yield, water productivity and protein production of soybean and chickpea were noticed with application of 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 2.5 t FYM/ha compared with other nutrition treatments. Addition of 75% RDF + 2.5 t FYM/ha also achieved higher system productivity, net profit and production and economic efficacy. After harvesting of the second crop of chickpea, maximum availability of N, P, K and S was recorded under 0.4 IW:CPE ratio, sprinkler irrigation and application of 75% RDF + 2.5 t FYM/ha compared to other treatments.

Effect of variable irrigation supply based diversification of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system on productivity, profitability, soil fertility and water expense efficiency

A field experiment was conducted during 2011–12 and 2012–13 at Morena, Madhya Pradesh, to study the ef fect of nutrition management, and methods and scheduling of irrigation on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cropping sequence. An irrigation at 0.6 irrigation water:cumulative pan evaporation (IW:CPE) ratio resulted in significantly higher growth, yield attributes, seed yield, economic benefits and water pro ductivity of soybean compared with 0.4 and 0.8 IW:CPE. Similarly, an irrigation at 0.4 IW:CPE ratio significantly in fluenced the yield-attributing characters, seed and straw yields, economic benefits and water productivity of chickpea compared with 0.6 and 0.8 IW:CPE ratios, whereas height and number of branches increased with in creasing IW:CPE ratio. Sprinkler irrigation resulted in significantly higher growth and yield attributes, seed and straw yields, economic benefits and water productivity of both the crops. The irrigation at 0.6 IW:CPE ratio showed 51.3% and 39.0% higher seed of soybean over 0.4 and 0.8 IW:CPE ratio, whereas 0.4 IW:CPE of irrigation yielded 14.5% and 32.5% higher seed of chickpea compared with 0.6 and 0.8 IW:CPE. Mean response of sprinkler irriga tion was recorded 8.3% in soybean and 11.7% in chickpea higher seed yield over check basin irrigation. Likewise, increases in growth and yield attributes, seed yield, water productivity and protein production of soybean and chickpea were noticed with application of 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 2.5 t FYM/ha compared with other nutrition treatments. Addition of 75% RDF + 2.5 t FYM/ha also achieved higher system productivity, net profit and production and economic efficacy. After harvesting of the second crop of chickpea, maximum availability of N, P, K and S was recorded under 0.4 IW:CPE ratio, sprinkler irrigation and application of 75% RDF + 2.5 t FYM/ha compared to other treatments.

Assessing the Performance of Conveyance System of Jato Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme of Wayu-Tuka District, East Wallaga Zone, Oromia, Ethiopa

The performance assessment of a small-scale irrigation project plays a vital role in evaluating its effectiveness and addressing potential shortcomings in achieving desired outcomes. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Jato small-scale irrigation project, assessing its performance based on various criteria and indicators. The study evaluates the project&amp;apos;s infrastructure maintenance and system efficiency. The designed command area of the scheme is seventy-five (75 ha) but the current irrigated area of the scheme is sixty (60ha) only. To achieve the objectives, primary and secondary data were collected. To gather both primary and secondary data, data-gathering techniques include surveys, interviews, field observations, and meteorological data. Before, during, and after an irrigation event, while farmers were carrying out their regular irrigation practices, several field characteristics were measured and/or observed. These data included the type of crop, irrigation water discharge in the canal, and field size. A survey concerning the availability of water was also carried out among farmers. CROPWAT 8.0 Software was used to organize the crop pattern of the study area along with other relevant data, including soil, climate, rain crop, and crop pattern. Water flow measurement results of the Jato small-scale irrigation scheme at the head, middle, and tail of the lined &amp; unlined main canal were found to be 53.6l/s, 45.4 l/s, and 29.9l/s respectively. The average water flow measurement result of the scheme is 43l/s which reduced from required flow by 18.15l/s. From the analyses of the water balance indicators, the canal conveyance efficiency, canal conveyance loss, application efficiency, and overall efficiency were found to be 70%, 30%, 70%, and 50% respectively. The overall average main canal conveyance efficiency and water conveyance loss were below the recommended values. The studies have shown that the effective infrastructure, irrigation ratio, and water surface elevation ratio of the scheme were found to be 66.7%, 80%, and 66% respectively. However, there were certain areas for improvement identified, such as the need for better coordination among project stakeholders and enhanced maintenance practices to ensure the long-term functionality of irrigation infrastructure.

The Impact of Smallholder Irrigation Scheme on Household Welfare in Farm-Managed Irrigation Scheme Communities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

The smallholder irrigation scheme development is seen as an important strategy to transform resource-poor communities by enhancing food security and alleviating rural poverty, which has led the South African government to prioritise and invest significantly in irrigation establishment, rehabilitation, and revitalisation. However, little information is available on the effectiveness and impact of smallholder irrigation schemes in improving rural livelihoods. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the impact of smallholder irrigation schemes on household welfare, specifically on household income in farmer-managed irrigation scheme communities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Primary data in the form of structured questionnaires was used to collect data from 160 farmers using multi-stage sampling. Descriptive statistics and propensity score matching were used for analysis. The study results reveal that smallholder irrigation schemes can significantly transform smallholder farmers' lives by increasing productivity and providing reliable income from farming. The study found a positive impact and relationship between smallholder irrigation schemes and household welfare in the study. Farm characteristics and socioeconomic and institutional factors influence smallholder participation in smallholder irrigation farming. Based on the results, the study recommends that the government continue investing in irrigation schemes to increase the rural economy, improve rural livelihoods, and attract young people to farming. Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform must encourage farmer participation in irrigation schemes and build their capacity through training using agricultural extension agents and subsidising farmers with agronomic practices to improve participation in smallholder irrigation schemes.

Seasonal variation and uptake pattern of heavy metals in maize

The detrimental impact of heavy metals on human health necessitates a focus on their contamination in the food chain. Heavy metals possess carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and endocrine-disrupting properties. The objective of the study was to ascertain how Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, and Hg are accumulated in the roots and grains of maize samples cultivated under the Kano River Irrigation Project during both wet and dry seasons production and subsequently compare the levels of these heavy metals with the recommended permissible limits established by FAO/WHO. Additionally, the research sought to employ Translocation Factors to examine the uptake pattern of heavy metals in maize during the two growing seasons. Maize samples were procured from 10 different locations within the irrigation scheme during 2022 wet season and 2023 dry season harvests. The samples were prepared using standard laboratory protocols and heavy metals were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The heavy metals accumulation in maize grains was found in the order Zn&gt;Cu&gt;Pb&gt;Ni&gt;Co during wet season production. Cd, Cr, and Hg were not detected in samples collected during the wet season. It is only the concentration of Zn that exceeded the permissible limit in the samples collected during wet season production. The accumulation order during the dry season was Zn&gt;Cu&gt;Cr&gt;Pb&gt;Ni&gt;Co&gt;Cd. Hg was not detected in all the maize grain samples. The concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr exceeded permissible limits in maize grains samples collected during dry season production.

The Provision of Agricultural Extension Services to Rural Farmers as a Strategy to Improve Agricultural Practices in South Africa

The government of South Africa has shown a commitment to providing extensive support to farmers by providing agricultural extension services. This qualitative study on providing agricultural extension services to rural farmers to improve agricultural productivity was conducted in Msinga Local Municipality. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Participants were sampled purposively, and data was analysed using content analysis. The agricultural extension officers played an important role in helping farmers with the provision of extension services, including seeds, manure, and the implementation of irrigation schemes and farm fencing. The extension services also included training and assisting farmers with vaccinating crops and livestock to protect them from diseases. Rural farmers were unable to attend training sessions and meetings organised by extension officers, and this has turned out to be a problem since farmers lack knowledge of farming methods and available information on possible financial assistance. There is a need to establish agricultural cooperatives that will liaise with agricultural extension officers and be able to communicate with other farmers when the officials are planning to meet with them for the provision of extension services.

Low-cost Mobile Solar Operated Lift Irrigation System : A Case Study

Effective and judicious use of irrigation water contributes a lot for the management of crop growth and increase in productivity. In the light of increasing demand for irrigation in the state of Assam(India) and to cover the non irrigated area as well as to continue the supplies for the irrigated command area, it becomes imperative to look for a holistic and people centric Low Cost Innovative Irrigation technique. Irrigation water can be assured at every crop field provided we set our mind and put concerted efforts to address it. This paper highlights the Irrigation scenario in Assam with a case study on Low Cost Solar Operated Mobile Lift Irrigation in Assam, for its continuance and contribution towards growth in Agricultural Productivity. This innovation in Irrigation Sector can cause Social transformation by bringing in the development of Agriculture and other allied Sectors. An attempt was also made to establish the economic and operational benefits of the system by making a comparison amongst the different lift Irrigation Schemes in the State. The study advocates for utilization of the non conventional solar energy for irrigating the multiple crops by lifting the surface water sources in the State of Assam by using the Low Cost Solar Operated Mobile Surface Lift Irrigation System. The paper also presents the financial analysis and Key Performance Indicators of the System with a highlight on its diversified application for disaster preparedness and mitigation on the part of Stakeholder Departments with a primary aim to increase Irrigated agriculture productivity

Climate Risks of Irrigation Developments in the Nariarle Sub- watershed in Koubri, Nankanbé Basin, Burkina Faso

Irrigation schemes in the Nariarlé sub-watershed, Nankanbé basin in Burkina Faso are exposed to climatic risks. These risks are accentuated by the combination of several natural, biophysical and anthropogenic factors. The objective of this study is to assess the climate risks of developments in Burkina Faso. The absence of a previous study assessing the risks of the basin highlights the originality of this article. Documentary research and the processing of satellite images served as methodology. This methodology is supported by field surveys of 160 farmers, questionnaires and interview guides. The climatic analysis shows an evolution of minimum and maximum temperatures and a persistence of deficit years. The climate risks identified are: risks of vulnerability to climatic hazards (water stress, soil erodibility, flooding of irrigated areas, heatwaves), risks of exposure (demographic pressure, increase in the level of CO 2 content of developments, economic deficit). Climate risk assessment provides decision support tools, guidance, effective adaptation practices and techniques.

Assessment of salt-affected soil in selected rice irrigation schemes in Tanzania: understanding salt types for optimizing management approaches

Salt-affected soils have serious implications for agricultural land quality and productivity, leading to a reduction in the net cultivable area available for food production. This issue has emerged as one of the foremost global challenges in recent years, impacting both food security and environmental sustainability. This research focuses on soil characterizations conducted in three irrigation schemes to understand the types, distribution, and nature of salt-affected soils. Auger observations served as the basic methodology for soil unit delineation in this study. Twelve representative soil pits with a depth of more than 160 cm were described, and undisturbed and disturbed samples were collected and analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The schemes were characterized by low levels of available phosphorus, organic carbon, and total nitrogen, as well as variations in exchangeable bases. Furthermore, 37.5% of the analyzed horizons highlighted the presence of salt-affected soils. Sodium was the predominant cation, followed by magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Likewise, HCO3− was the dominant anion, followed by Cl− and SO42−. The results of this study reveal the existence of two types of salt-affected soil. Uturo irrigation scheme had sodic soils, while the Ndungu irrigation scheme had saline-sodic soils. Additionally, both sodic and saline-sodic soils have been discovered in the Mawala irrigation scheme. The root cause of this challenge is inherent soil conditions, exacerbated by inadequate drainage infrastructure. Therefore, measures such as the application of gypsum followed by salt leaching, improving soil drainage by incorporating organic matter, improving drainage infrastructure, and using rice-tolerant varieties are recommended to mitigate salt stress and improve soil fertility. It is imperative to establish a robust framework for continuous monitoring and regular assessment of soil health to enable timely interventions and informed decisions for sustainable agricultural management.

On‐farm performance evaluation of small‐scale irrigation schemes in the Ethiopian Rift Valley: Internal and external performance process approach

On‐farm performance evaluation of small‐scale irrigation schemes in the Ethiopian Rift Valley: Internal and external performance process approach

Enhancing phosphorus use efficiency and soil quality indicators in lowland paddy ecosystem through Azolla, rice straw, and NPKS fertilizers

PurposeThis study investigates the influence of incorporating Azolla, rice straw, and NPKS fertilizers on phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and rice productivity in lowland paddy fields. Despite Azolla’s well-known role as a nitrogen-fixing aquatic fern in rice production, its specific impact on PUE remains unclear. The primary objective is to explore diverse treatment combinations to identify synergies that enhance both PUE and overall rice productivity.MethodsThe study was conducted at Mkula Irrigation Scheme in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania; the field experiment employed a randomized complete block design with 13 treatments and three replications. Treatments comprised various combinations of Azolla, rice straw, and chemical fertilizers, incorporating 50% and 100% rates of nitrogen (N) applied with phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S).ResultsThe study reveals the substantial impact of Azolla application on total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium levels in the soil. Particularly noteworthy were treatment combinations involving Azolla, rice straw, and reduced rates of synthetic nitrogen, along with specific P, K, and S applications, which exhibited the highest phosphorus uptake and PUE. Specifically, combining rice straw and Azolla with reduced N rates, alongside 30 kg P ha−1 + 30 kg K ha−1 + 20 kg S ha−1, resulted in the highest phosphorus uptake (73.57 kg/ha) and PUE (46.24%).ConclusionIntegrated nutrient management, incorporating rice straw and Azolla alongside synthetic fertilizers, demonstrates synergistic effects on phosphorus uptake and efficiency while maintaining soil quality. The study underscores the potential of such integrated strategies to optimize PUE and contribute to sustainable rice production in lowland paddy fields.

Transforming Arid and Semi-Arid Areas to be Food Secure: The Role of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects

The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the contribution of irrigation-based initiatives towards ensuring food security. The specific objectives encompassed assessing the role of labor within small-holder irrigation projects in bolstering food security, analyzing the impact of external donor assistance on food security outcomes within these projects, and appraising the extent of governmental backing for small-holder irrigation endeavors in the pursuit of food security goals. Employing a descriptive survey methodology, the study was conducted within various small-holder irrigation projects. The research population consisted of 1303 members affiliated with the irrigation schemes, alongside 12 agricultural officers. Utilizing a simple random sampling technique, two agricultural extension officers were selected from the irrigation schemes, while a stratified sampling approach identified 66 irrigation scheme members for participation in the study. Data collection primarily relied on the administration of questionnaires. Findings revealed that the majority of farmers predominantly relied on their labor or that of family members, with minimal utilization of hired labor observed in small-scale irrigation ventures. Consequently, labor scarcity emerged as a notable challenge within these projects. Furthermore, the study highlighted that a significant proportion of small-holder irrigation initiatives benefited from external donor support. To address labor shortages, the research suggested incentivizing specialized labor while recommending collaborative efforts among farmers to engage specialists in crop management, thereby enhancing crop productivity within the schemes.

Design and Retrofitting of Irrigation Pumping System for the Middle Ogun Irrigation Project Using Hydrokinetic Technology

High cost of irrigation pumping by use of fossil fuel has negatively impacted irrigation efficiency on the Middle Ogun Irrigation scheme. Efficient irrigation pumping would improve agricultural productivity and food production on the irrigation scheme.  Many attempts have been made by stakeholders to seek alternative energy sources for powering irrigation pumping. This study aimed at the design and retrofitting of the irrigation water pumping system on the Middle Ogun Irrigation scheme using hydrokinetic technology. Hydrological modelling of the catchment was carried out using MapWindow Soil and Water Assessment Tool to determine the annual gross and recoverable hydrokinetic potential of the water resource from the river. A Savonius hydrokinetic turbine system was developed and tested on the river.  The mean voltage output at selected streamflow depths were determined to derive a power curve. Results showed that retrofitting the irrigation pumping system with an array of twenty units (20) of selected submersible irrigation pumps powered by twenty-two (22) units of an array of Savonius hydrokinetic turbines would satisfactorily deliver irrigation water into night storage and irrigate the pilot field of 100 ha of farmland on plot 2 and 5 on the scheme.

Study on irrigation scheme and nitrogen application to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in saline farmland in the arid/semi-arid region of Hetao Irrigation District

Study on irrigation scheme and nitrogen application to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in saline farmland in the arid/semi-arid region of Hetao Irrigation District

Effect of Bioactive Compound (Poultry Manure) on the Yield and Capsaicinoid Content of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Cultivars

To assess the impact of poultry manure fertilization on the yield and capsaicinoid content of sweet pepper cultivars, field experiments were carried out during the 2018 rainy seasons at two locations within the Sudan savanna agro-ecological region: the Teaching and Research Farm Bayero University Kano (l1o 58 N, 8o 25 E, and altitude 458 m) and Kadawa Irrigation Scheme Bunkure (l1o 42 N, 8o 33 E, and altitude 476 m). The experiment was a 4 x 3 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates comprising four levels of poultry manure (PM) (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 tha-1) and three cultivars of sweet pepper (Tattasai Dan Damasak, Yolo wonder and Nsukka yellow). The result reveals that the growth, yield and capcisinoid content of sweet pepper cultivars were greatly influenced by the application of PM. The application of 3.0 tha-1 of PM significantly gave taller plants, more branches, larger leaves, and a higher number of fruits. Similarly, the Dan Damasak cultivar significantly produced higher growth characters above, except for the number of fruits plant-1. The Dan Damasak and Yolo wonder cultivars at BUK and Yolo wonder at BKR significantly gave a higher number of fruit plants. Fresh fruit yield, total fruit yield, and capsaicinoid content were significantly higher with 3.0 tha-1 of PM at both locations. The Dan Damasak cultivar resulted in higher yield related characters at both locations. The capsaicinoid content was, however, significantly higher with Nsukka yellow (17.43 and 18.83 mg kg-1) at BUK and BKR locations, respectively. Thus, the application of 3.0 tha-1 PM combined with the Dan Damasak cultivar for improved growth and yield, while the Nsukka Yellow cultivar and the application of 3.0 tha-1 PM for higher capsaicinoid could be suggested to the farmers in the study area to improve the productivity of the crop.

Performance evaluation of the Bilate and Furfuro irrigation schemes in Silti Zone, southern Ethiopia

Many irrigation schemes are performing poorly for a number of reasons, and this should be improved to increase the efficiency and productivity of the schemes. This study attempted to determine the performance of the Bilate and Furfuro irrigation schemes in Silti Zone, southern Ethiopia. For field data measurements, three farmers’ fields were selected at the head, middle, and tail end of each scheme. Average conveyance efficiencies were 53% and 56.1%, average field application efficiencies were 55.9% and 58.0%, average water storage efficiencies were 53% and 46.5%, irrigation uniformity was 91.03% and 92.9%, and overall irrigation efficiency was 28% and 32% for Bilate and Furfuro schemes respectively. This implied that the two schemes were performing inefficiently and inadequately, but water was distributed uniformly. The reason might be most canal sections had unreasonable losses of water in two schemes. Additionally, relative water supply was 0.68 and 0.79, relative irrigation supply was 0.61 and 0.77, output per unit irrigated area was 4140.4 and 1781.5 ($/ha), output per unit command area was 4510.3 and 1968.5 ($/ha), output per unit irrigation supply was 0.94 and 0.28 ($/m3), output per unit water consumed was 0.99 and 0.39 ($/m3), sustainability of irrigation area was 1.05 and 1.02, and irritation ratio was 1.11 and 1.09 for Bilate and Furfuro schemes respectively. This revealed that the applied water was not satisfied the crop water demand, but their irrigated lands were expanded for two irrigation schemes. Furfuro scheme was better than Bilate in terms of relative water supply and relative irrigation supply, but their results obtained were below acceptable values. However, Bilate scheme had significantly better land and water productivity than Furfuro scheme. This may be use high value crops, better agricultural inputs, and removal of grass cover and sedimentation from canal systems. Hence, Bilate irrigation scheme was better performing than Furfuro scheme. Therefore, adopt the best practices learned from Bilate irrigation scheme for the Furfuro scheme.