International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management Volume (2014), 15 pages. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Watering of agricultural activities and poverty reduction in Northen Ghana: A case study of the Tono Irrigation Scheme in the Kassena Nankana District

Kofi M.P¹* and Akomah L.O²

University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies, Bunso, East Akim Municipal, Eastern Region,Ghana.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 19 May, 2014

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture offers opportunities for greater livelihoods security and poverty reduction in northern Ghana where climatic conditions do not allow for an all-year-around agricultural production. It is the knowledge gap as regards the contribution of existing irrigation facilities in the area that occasioned the case study of the Tono irrigation scheme in the Kassena-Nankana District. The investigation adopted a treatment and control experimental approach. The treatment group comprised a sample of 93 out of a total of 1328 Tono irrigation tomato farmers and a control group sample of 86 out of 614 irrigation tomato farmers operating outside the Tono irrigation scheme. The samples were selected at a confidence level of 90% allowing for 0.1% margin of error. The Tono irrigated scheme created a platform for employment and high agricultural output but made only modest gains towards poverty reduction in the district. The challenges to that that served as a check included high cost of hiring farm machinery, inadequate access to credit, poor water supply for irrigation, ineffective technical assistance, lack of entrepreneurial skills, lack of storage facilities and inadequate ready market to translate the outputs into incomes for the farmers. A more responsive institutional arrangement inclusive of all pertinent stakeholders is recommended to ensure the effective management and utilisation of the irrigation infrastructure; the efficient delivery of farm inputs to farmers; farmer-centred capacity building training for improved performance, and provision of storage facilities, the establishment of agro-industry processing linkages, market search and promotion.

Keywords: Agriculture, Irrigation, Poverty, Tono Irrigation Scheme.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management Volume (2014), 7 pages. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of different irrigation levels and nitrogen forms on yield, quality and water use efficiency of lettuce

Suleiman Osman and Arda Orhan

Department of Agricultural Sciences, Konya Food and Agricultural University, Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:  [email protected] or [email protected].

Accepted 07 June, 2014

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different irrigation levels and nitrogen forms on yield, quality and water use efficiency of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia cv. Lital) under greenhouse conditions during the periods November 2003 - February 2004 in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Four irrigation treatments with a drip irrigation system were based on adjustment coefficients (Kcp) (0, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25) of Class A pan evaporation. Nitrogen (N) treatments were consisted of ammonium nitrate (N_AN) and ammonium sulfate (N_AS) forms. As the yield and quality parameters of plant; mean marketable head weight, number of total and marketable leaves, plant height and diameters, root wet weight, plant dry weight, core diameters and tightness of head were determined. N forms significantly affected plant diameter and number of total and marketable leaves. Yield and other yield components were not affected by different N forms. Irrigation levels had significant (p < 0.01) different effects on yield and yield components except for plant dry weight. The results showed that the highest yield was obtained from N_ANxKcp₁₀₀ interaction plot. The water use efficiency (WUE) and the irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) increased as the irrigation level reduced.

Key words: Drip irrigation, irrigation level, nitrogen, fertigation.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management Volume (2014), 7 pages. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of the Impact of irrigation and fertigation on growth and yield of guava (Psidium guajava L.) under meadow orcharding

Sharma K and Mursaleen N

Assam Don Bosco University, Azara, Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India

Accepted  14 April, 2014

Abstract

A study was conducted during 2009 to 2010 and 2010 to 2011 to find out the effect of irrigation and fertigation scheduling on growth and yield of guava (Psidium guajava L.). The experiments were laid out in factorial randomized block design with sixteen treatment combinations which included four irrigation levels (basin, 50, 75 and 100% irrigation of irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation) along with four fertigation levels, including, basal dose, 50, 75 and 100% water soluble fertilizers and replicated thrice. The nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers were applied through fertigation as well as soil application to test various attributes of 3-years-old guava cv. Shweta under meadow (ultra high density) orcharding. The investigation indicated that 100% irrigation of irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation (I₃) through drip resulted in maximum plant height (1.97 m), canopy volume (0.98 m³), girth of primary branches (2.41 cm), leaf area (62.94 cm²) and fruit weight (163.71 g). However, I₂ (75% irrigation of irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation) resulted in maximum plant spread east west-north south (1.91 to 1.79 m), fruit yield/plant (5.87 kg) with benefit:cost ratio of 2.62. Use of 60, 30 and 30 g NPK/plant/year produced maximum leaf area (63.39 cm²), fruit weight (162.43 g) and fruit yield/plant (6.01 kg). Interaction effect of irrigation and fertigation levels showed that 100% irrigation of irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation + 100% water soluble fertilizers gave maximum plant height (2.07 m), canopy volume (1.24 m³), girth of primary branches (2.48 cm), leaf area (66.08 cm²), fruit diameter 6.69 cm (polar) and 5.97 cm (equatorial), fruit weight (182.17 g), yield/plant (6.59 kg). However, maximum benefit:cost ratio of (2.91) was obtained as 75% irrigation of irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation + 75% water soluble fertilizers.

Key words: Guava, irrigation, fertigation, meadow orchard, yield.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management Volume (2014), 6 pages. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Appraising irrigation farming in the millennium development goals

T.O Ovuorie and Aghogho J. Omene

Western Delta University, P.M.B. 10 Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 April, 2014

Abstract

Irrigation farming has increased in Nigeria in the recent times. The possible reason for this is the increased awareness from the Fadama project jointly funded by World Bank, Federal Government and State Governments. This work was carried out to assess the income generating potential of irrigation farming which may reduce poverty and hunger and directly achieve an important aspect of the Millennium Development Goals. The study which was conducted between October 2005 and April 2006 covered towns and villages within the South Western region of Nigeria using data collected from a sample of four hundred and fifty Fadama (irrigation) farmers. Structured questionnaires were administered to irrigation farmers in selected towns of two randomly selected Local Governments of two selected states (Oyo and Ogun States). The result of the study showed that irrigation farming is a profitable venture. Farmers realized an average net income (profit) of N109, 750 from irrigation farming for the period. Furthermore, irrigation farming was found to be capable of alleviating poverty among farming households because they were able to live above US $1/day/person which is the threshold for poverty level. Hence irrigation farming can be used to achieve the MDG of reducing poverty and hunger. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression showed that farm size, years of irrigation experience, seed, labour and fertilizer were found to have significant effects on profit realized from irrigation farming. Major crops grown are vegetables (such as Okra, Chocorus olitorus, Telferia spp and Amaranthus).

Key words: Irrigation, farming, millennium development goal, poverty, Fadama